Official Gazette for January 17, 1973: PRESIDENT MARCOS, complying with the will of the people as expressed in the January 10-15 referendum through the barangays and citizens assemblies, proclaimed the new Constitution ratified and in force as of 12 noon. In accordance with the unanimous demand of the people, the President also signed along with Proclamation No. 1102 announcing the ratification of the Constitution: 1) Proclamation No 1103 declaring that the interim National Assembly provided for an Art. XVII of the Constitution be not convened; and 2) Proclamation No 1104 for the continuation of Martial Law in accordance with the needs of the time and the desire of the people. The three questions were referred to the people in a referendum designed to broaden the base of citizen participation in the democratic processes and afford ample opportunity for the citizenry to express their voice on important national issues.
ISSUANCE BY PRESIDENT Marcos of Proclamation No. 1102 declaring the new Constitution ratified as of 12 noon has among others, the following important effects: 1) The exercise by the President of the r powers of the President and Prime Minister; 2) Abolition of Congress; 3) The change of the presidential to the parliamentary form of government; and 4) Giving the President the discretion When to call the interim National Assembly. These were the highlights of a briefing given by Justice Undersecretary Efren Plana at the Department of Public Information where he met with local and foreign newsmen.
FREEZING OF ALL information received during the tax amnesty period from informers relative to undeclared income or wealth until after March 31, 1973, was ordered by Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata. He said that no information from informers should be processed while Presidential Decree No. 23, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 67, is in effect. At the same time, Secretary Virata directed officials of the Department of Finance, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, and the Anti-Smuggling Action Center to adopt all measures to extend full protection to all persons who take advantage of the tax amnesty. Such protection should be from all types of harassment by either government law enforcers or informers. All information from informers will be kept on file so as not to subject persons who are taking advantage of the amnesty to undue harassment. However, the full force of the internal revenue laws and regulations will be applied against all persons who do not declare all their undeclared income or wealth including their assets abroad after March 31, 1973.
PREVIOUSLY UNTAXED INCOME disclosed under the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 23 as amended, if consisting wholly or partly of hoarded cash in the Philippines, need not be invested in any area of preferred undertakings. Revenue Commissioner Misael P. Vera clarified today. He said the requirement of investment or deposit of hoarded cash under the tax amnesty decree refers only to previously untaxed income or wealth consisting of “cash hoarded abroad.” The immunities granted now by the tax amnesty include relief from civil, criminal and administrative liabilities arising from or incident to the disclosure under the National Internal Revenue Code, the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Revised Administrative Code, the Civil Service Laws and regulations, Jaws and regulations on immigration and deportation or any other applicable law or proclamation.
OVER 239 FIRMS have expressed their desire to avail of the condonation of penalties on delinquent contributions, according to a report submitted by Administrator Gilberto Teodoro of the Social Security System. The condonation of penalties, as incorporated in Presidential Decree No. 24 amending the Social Security Law, allows the delinquent employers a grace period until April 19, 1973 to remit late contributions, Without the three; per cent monthly penalty. This also includes those employers with pending cases filed with the Social Security Commission, courts, or the fiscal’s office related to delinquent payments.
COMPLETION OF a multi-channel microwave VHF communications system, in the Cagayan Valley, was announced by Director of Telecommunications Pedro P. Villaseñor. With the completion of this system, major towns in the Cagayan Valley will be connected for the first time by modern telephone and telegraph facilities with the rest of the country. The newly completed system provides telecommunications services to the major population centers of Tabuk in Kalinga-Apayao, Tuguegarao in Cagayan province, Ilagan and Santiago in Isabela, and Bayombong in Nueya Vizcaya.
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For a time I was tempted to organize a revolutionary government. It was simpler to do so. Many demanded it. Even those close to me.
But the long run results would have been more complicated.
And the intrigues, conspiracies and plots would have continued. We would have moved farther away from freedom and normalcy which is my goal. And it would have been harder to return to constitutional government.
If anything happened to me, there would be chaos. At least with the new constitution we can expect a systematic approach to the problem.
And the military can be kept at leash. Since they are fundamentally loyal to the constitution, they have an anchor and a rule of conduct.
I place all my papers of the Katipunan Ng Barangay in Envelope No. XXXXII-A.