1:30 AM Dec. 22nd
Official Gazette for December 21, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS said that the rapid increase in investment programs shows growing confidence in the stability of the country and in the bright prospects for investment. During the signing of the investment contract” between Ford Philippines and the Export Processing Zone, the President said that all other participants in the Progressive Car Manufacturing Program have also decided to increase their commitments and have also shown interest in the example set by Ford Philippines in establishing a $35 million car body stamping plant in Bataan.
THE PRESIDENT asked the armed forces to continue its vigilance “with the same lofty motivation, the same prodigous energy the same firm discipline and with ever increasing hopes for a better day for our country and people.” The President made this appeal in a speech at the 37th anniversary commemoration of the AFP in Camp Aguinaldo.
“Even as we put our trust in Divine Providence, let us continue to be vigilant, to be enterprising, to be self-reliant the President said. “For ultimately God rewards those who do and dare.”
SECRETARY TATAD explained the nation’s efforts and determination to recast the framework of Philippine society. “Out of the weaknesses of the past, we wanted to create a society which every Filipino can take just pride in because of its intrinsic excellence, and because it would be a society that would combine all these things, the goodness, and excellence of all,” Mr. Tatad said. “A society which is the handiwork of all Filipinos and which shows in all its aspects the work of everyone who has put in his share.”
PRICES OF PALAY and rice have been more stable in 1972 compared with last year, and the imposition of Martial Law arrested the tendency of rice retail prices to peak in September. In a study by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the following notable trends of palay and rice prices were observed: 1) prices have tended to be more stable during calendar year 1972 than calendar year 1971; 2) the tendency of prices in 1971 was to move upward while in 1972 it is the reverse 3) Retail prices in 1972 tended to reach a peak in September but after the imposition of Martial Law these either remained steady in October or fell but the price level was still well below the price control level. Nevertheless, prices were generally lower during the whole month of November and up to the present; and 4) in general, for two major trading centers—Cabanatuan City and Greater Manila— retail prices during 1972 were somewhat higher on the average than prices in 1971, but showed greater stability.
EMPLOYEES OF THE national government are not required to present their Employer’s Medicare Contribution Certification when they seek admission as Medicare patients in government hospitals under the Department of Health. In a circular issued by Acting Health Secretary Clemente S. Gatmaitan, all hospitals under the Department of Health were enjoined to dispense with the requirement of said certification (PMCC Form 1) in connection with the admission of medicare patients who are employees of the national government. In case of doubt, however, as to the employment status of the patient, he may be required to execute a promissory note obligating himself to pay the hospital services and professional fees involved during his confinement in the hospital.
SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS imprisonment at hard labor by a military tribunal was Marcellano L. Bacani of Tondo, Manila for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition following a trial which started at 9:40 a.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m. The accused, 34 years old, was arrested and detained by the Manila Metropolitan Police last October 9, when they found in his possession an unlicensed revolver caliber .22 with six rounds of ammunition.
PRESIDENT MARCOS is looking into the merits of a proposal to postpone the holding of the plebiscite on the new Constitution on January 15 because of lack of material time. The proposal to postpone the plebiscite came from officials of the Comelec and local governments.
The Comelec observed that there is a need for a few more days to enable new voters to register. The provincial governors and city mayors, on their part, appealed for more time to disseminate information about the proposed Constitution to far-flung places, especially those hit by calamities.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Alejandro Melchor Jr. announced the formal start of operations of the Public Information Unit in the Executive Office, created under Memorandum Order No. 317 and organized under the supervision of Assistant Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora.
The PIU was created to facilitate matters for the general public who transact business with Malacañang, by avoiding the unnecessary daily follow-ups of papers by interested parties, and providing for a systematic flow of papers needing Malacañang action, thereby saving time and effort on the part of all concerned.
Have just come from the dinner by AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] Chief of Staff and Mrs. [Romeo] Espino on the 37th Anniversary of the AFP at the Penthouse of the National Computer Center.
This afternoon I attended the parade and review at 3:00 PM and the cocktail 5:00-6:30 PM.
Spoke on “No turning back,” the AFP as the principal tool of reform and its alliance with the people.
Awarded the star on the Presidential Citation Badge for every soldier of the AFP for their distinguished conduct this year specially under martial law.
Pledged anew “courage, fairness and humility.”
This morning met the leaders (Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile and Vic[ente] Abad Santos as well as [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.], Sol. Gen. Estelito Mendoza, Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat, Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal, the Comelec [Commission on Elections] Commissioners and Delegate [Gilberto] Duavit as Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal could not make it) and asked them to study the possibility of postponing the plebiscite because of the failure of posting the constitution in three public places in every municipality thirty days before the plebiscite.
When there was opposition, I called Sol. Gen. Mendoza to submit a report on the Sup. Ct. [Supreme Court] case which confirmed the fear that there was inadequate time for information, registration and posting; that I did not want a crisis to develop now as the issuance of an injunction by the Supreme Court would be met with a Lincolnian disregard or stance ignoring the Supreme Court decision or worse a revolutionary government where I would take over all the powers of government; and that, therefore, we should exhaust all possible measures to head off a collision with the Supreme Court.
Comelec will, therefore, submit a recommendation by Saturday when we meet again after I meet the Nacionalista senators. Tomorrow I meet the congressmen.
1 witnessed the signing of the Ford Contract of P247 million with the Export Processing Zone for a stamping plant.
Before that I received the message from the Pope through Mons. [Carmine] Rocco, the Papal Nuncio.
And met the governors and mayors who had not yet left.
Another report of an assassination plot—by [Aguiluz?], Asst. Prisons Director.