Malacañang
Gen. [Charles] Lindbergh is here on the conservation of marine life. His son Jon Lindbergh is head of the U.S. Agency on Oceanography. With him is Theodore Pryor, head of the Foundation on Oceanography. Met them at 9:30 AM then attended the lunch for them where they tried durian and angolas which looked like worms but are eels.
They have come from the Taboli and Obo areas in Cotabato where Lindbergh spent eight days. Pryor is going there too. Both under the guidance of [Manuel] Manda Elizalde [Jr.].
I am going to declare the Malampaya and Pangil bay estuaries as marine life sanctuaries if we can overcome the obstacles.
Oceanography should be studied more by our people.
And I have directed the Air and Water Pollution Commission to do something about the Pasig River which is now almost pure oil and waste.
J.V. Cruz, the Manila Times columnist and one of my most ardent supporters has suddenly turned against me and suggests that “something has snapped somewhere” and I have become “hysterical” and “govern by intimidation.”
This is probably because I have not appointed him Ambassador to Bonn, Germany.
MALACAÑANG
11:00 AM April 25, 1970[1]
I believe I should proclaim the entire Philippines as a land reform area provided that the farmers will agree not to seek or demand loans from the government for their inputs as we do not have the funds. But I still think we must organize cooperatives. And the Magalang project will be the pilot project for this kind of cooperative.
We have been able to get the senators to agree to a caucus to have me convince them hat we must allow the collections from the export tax for our foreign and domestic indebtedness. We meet for breakfast at 8:30 AM Monday, April 27th.
I have appointed Francisco Rabat as chairman of PHILCOA [Philippine Coconut Authority] and hope that he will have the drive to organize cooperatives for coconut producers.
Had Leo[nides] Virata and [Antonio] Tony Ayala for lunch. Asked them to approve the [Hans] Menzi application for a pulp and paper plant as there was a letter guaranty of the produce to be bought by them.
Met with J.V. Cruz for lunch and he claims he is worried about the control of the military over government. So I explained to him that we must keep a dialogue with the military as they could be a threat if I did not dominate them morally.
I am appointing him Ambassador to Bonn, Germany as this seems to be his wish and I promised this to him during the campaign of 1969.
MALACAÑANG
11:05 PM April 26, 1970[2]
Malacañang
AID is pulling out at least twenty percent of its personnel as the U.S. decides to withdraw aid all over the world. This has been in the offing for several years. But perhaps it is about time we cut off all aid to us and really be self-reliant.
We are losing $7 million daily in dollar earning because of the refusal of the senators to pass an acceptable export tax bill. They want to sterilize the entire proceeds in the Central Bank. But our debts are coming up. At the same time the Senate version prohibits further borrowing. It amends the Charter of the Central Bank and stops all open-market operations of the bank.
So I have called a caucus of the Congressional leaders tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM to work out of compromise.
Boni Ysip reports that another military group headed by Ex-Gen. Tirso Fajardo has organized and is in touch with the original group of Terry [Eleuterio] Adevoso.
Ex-Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal and family has left for Dacca, Pakistan. Adevoso and some other cabinet members of his including Mayor Asistio saw him off.
Ex-Sen. Domocao Alonto has arrived from abroad and wishes to see me. His Ansarul Islam is still being talked about as supporting succession from the Philippines of the Moslem areas. But we are organizing the loyal Moslems to fight back if they start anything.
MALACAÑANG
11:40 PM April 27, 1970[3]
Malacañang
In the breakfast this morning I convinced the senators and congress leaders to agree to:
A flat rate of 10% for all exports more than $5 million provided that the export incentives bill will be approved.
The proceeds will be spent as follows:
50% for the payment of foreign and domestic obligations;
25% for the counterpart fund for loans from the ADB [Asian Development Bank], IBRD [International Bank for Reconstruction and Development] and other foreign sources;
25% for expenses for unfinished productive enterprises.
Only Sen. Jose Diokno is presently opposing the removal of Sec. 5 of the Senate Bill which amends the Charter of the Central Bank, removes the open-market operations of the Central Bank, and stops further loans in excess of the present level of our indebtedness. But this will mean that we will not be able to pay our debts.
We offered a compromise that addition indebtedness will not exceed 15% of the last three years of income.
Opened the convention of the governors and city mayors. I appealed to them:
To be in the forefront of change so that we will not allow the radicals to pre-empt our right as leaders chosen by our people.
That our times are crucial and each and everyone of us will determine the future of our country in the next century.
That we must now establish centers of activity other than Metropolitan Manila. That the reason Manila is the center of authority is because the President holds office in Manila, so I will now hold office in regional office.
That local development is dependent more upon the initiatives of the local leaders than on the experts of the national government. Cigar rolling factories in Cagayan was my example.
That they must now help develop cooperatives of agricultural producers to tie up with consumer cooperatives so that there will be local markets in the provinces. Right now the only market is in Manila.
That island provinces should look into the development of refrigerated warehouses. That this could be utilized also by other and inland provinces. Gov. San Luis of Laguna immediately asked that I reverse the decision of GAO [General Auditing Office] that the savings of the provinces cannot be used for cooperatives.
That I will proclaim land reform for the entire Philippines before the end of my term but that we will have no funds for credit to the tenants and the small land owners should be banded into farm cooperatives, as it is true that larger farms are more efficient.
Electrification.
Vocational and agricultural schools.
Take issue openly with the enemies of liberal democracy—those specially who would use violence.
We will tolerate debate. But we should not forfeit our right of reply. For we have more valid arguments. History is on our side.
MALACAÑANG
12:35 AM April 28, 1970[4]
Malacañang
Am still awaiting word from the conference committee on the stabilization tax on whether they have agreed on the version that we worked out. Substantially as we agreed in the caucus but 25% of proceeds to be sterilized in a special fund in the Central to be spent only by Congressional authorization; the prohibition of additional indebtedness when there is inflationary dangers and the categorization which is the subject of contention in the Savoy Hotel conference committee meeting.
My feeling is that Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat, Majority Floor Leader [Arturo] Tolentino and Chairman on Ways & Means [Wenceslao] Lagumbay are protecting their private interests—setting 10% for the big exports (logs, copra, sugar and copper concentrate) and 8% for the rest including dessicated coconut plywood of Puyat, Lagumbays and Tolentinos retainers.
If this is the only way to pass the bill we will have to accept the categorization although [Marcelino] Lening Veloso who feels that the congressmen have been kept out of the deals with the exporters says the House wants only one category and a flat rate of 10%. The Secretary of Finance is there with them.
Greg[orio] Licaros called me up to say that we may get the $50 million loan by Thursday.
My stamina is increasing. A daily heavy exercise routine morning and afternoon and I do not feel tired.
MALACAÑANG
11:55 PM April 29, 1970[5]
Malacañang
The conference committee on the stabilization tax bill approved the conference report with the amendment that instead of sterilization of the last 25% of the proceeds it goes to the DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] for the payment of its obligations. I sent Leo Virata to the Senate to explain to the Nacionalista senators’ caucus that he has obligations that are urgent—$67 million by the end of the month and $289 million by the end of June.
The House has approved the conference report but the Senate is still debating it although Senate President Gil Puyat promised they would hold on and keep the session going until it is approved.
The Labor groups have allegedly withdrawn their invitation for me to address them on Labor Day, May 1st. Before that Sec. [Blas] Ople on his own announced that for security reasons I am not attending the Labor Day celebration. Labor is supposed to demonstrate against Congress and me because I certified the bill on minimum wage for P8 for industrial and P5 for non-industrial workers.
Ople recommends that I meet with the labor leaders and I have agreed to do so tomorrow noon at 1:00 PM. But I do not wish to compromise as the labor leaders are getting too arrogant and are trying to intimidate the Congress and me.
Actually the minimum wage should be P7 and P4.50.
Gov. Primicias won against Gov. Isidro Rodriguez who is feeling hurt for the Chairmanship of the League of Governors and City Mayors. Inducted the new offices including Cocoy [Benjamin] Romualdez as Vice Chairman, Gov. [Jose] Roño secretary general.
MALACAÑANG
12:10 AM April 30, 1970[6]
Malacañang
Magalang, Pampanga at 8:50 AM—40 minutes by Huey helicopter (______ and Reynoso as pilots) from Malacañang, for the new approach to land reform.
San Isidro, Magalang for an inspection of the Home Defense forces or the self-defense forces. It is a model. They have a good 93 men. But their trenches need overhead cover as the Huks have M-79’s.
10:30—Fort Magsaysay, 30 minutes by helicopter. Graduation of 6 months trainees mostly from Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan; 34th Anniversary of the Tabak Division and a demonstration of the Infantry Battalion with tank armor, artillery support (105’s and mortars 81 & 42) and helicopter transport. We must improve our artillery and use the helicopters for fire support. Communications good—all messages in Tagalog. The “over” sounded strange when translated into “Tapos.” Air drop of the pathfinders off the drop zone. Vice Chief of Staff Romeo Espino dropped with them from 6,000 feet. In actual combat they drop from 12,000 three days before combat to mark out the drop zone. Two of them were carried by an updraft two miles beyond camp.
Objective was a hill marked with a circle. Artillery preparation four minutes only.
Arrived Manila by Fokker 2:30—30 minute flight. Conference on Labor Day possible violence. Golf—only 5 holes. Have recovered my wrist action and am hitting harder.
Cesar Virata and the export tax bill at 8:30 PM while I was conferring with Ralph Nubla. Cesar came with Dr. [Gerardo] Sicat who has agreed to take over the chairmanship of the NEC [National Economic Council]. He is a UP professor.
Then met with the labor leaders headed by Johnny C. Tan who all denied they had anything to do with the withdrawal of the invitation for me to speak at their rally tomorrow. Instead I invited them to lunch where my speech will be videotaped for broadcast at 6:00 PM.
The MDP [Movement for a Democratic Philippines] and Kabataan may start violence tomorrow.
But if they learn we are prepared to take severe counter-action, they may not even attempt to do anything.
[1] Official Gazette for April 25, 1970: P resident Marcos , as is his wont on weekends, concentrated on his desk work. However, he received a few callers with urgent business at Malacañang, including Thomas Niblock, USAID director here, who presented the first shipment of surgical instruments, which the aid agency donated to the Philippine General Hospital, and Dr. Zahir Ahmed, UN land reform expert, who discussed with the President the land reform program and offered to make a study of the land reform effort here. At around noon, the President met privately with Senate and House leaders, including Senate Majority Floorleader Arturo Tolentino, Senator Wenceslao Lagumbay , Speaker Protempore Jose Aldeguer , House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso and Rep. James Chiongbian of South Cotabato. In the evening, he addressed the Confederation of Quezon City Barrio Councils, at the induction of the officers of the group at the D & E restaurant in Quezon City. The President stressed the need in the country’s urban communities for organized action, pointing out that the problem that must be solved is that of apathy and the loss of a sense of community. The sense of community that small towns have, he said, may be restored among city folk “without sacrificing any of the attributes of progress and bigness, without doing away with any of the advantages of city life.” “The division of the city into districts or barrios permits the city resident to relate with his neighbor,” he said, and allows him to work with others “in pursuit of specific objectives for the betterment of his community.” Finally, he asserted, it allows him “to participate in the conduct of local governments, because he has recourse to organized action with his immediate neighbors.” Earlier, the President designated Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata and NEC Chairman Placido Mapa , Jr. as members of the Joint Legislative-Executive Tax Commission. The two Cabinet members will represent the executive department in the commission. The Chief Executive also named four others to various government boards. They are: 1) Arturo D. Tolentino, Jr., as chairman of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology; 2) Felix E. A sprer , as member of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology. 3) Adrian Cristobal, as member of the board of administrators of the Philippine Coconut Administration. 4) Florencio Moreno, Sr., as member of the Board of Technical Surveys and Maps. He will represent the civil engineering profession in the board.
[2] Official Gazette for April 26, 1970: P resident Marcos directed the National Bureau of Investigation to intensify its hunt for the remaining suspects in the kidnapping and rape of a 24-year-old coed last April 3. The Chief Executive also appealed to other victims of the sex gang to assist the NBI in identifying and effecting the arrest of the suspects. Informed that relatives of one of the suspects had offered to surrender in exchange for lenient treatment, the President told the NBI to reject such compromises, and instead deal sternly with known suspects no matter who may be protecting them. The President also directed the NBI to effect the immediate arrest of four men accused in the killing of actor Jess Lapid on the strength of a court order for their re-arrest. The President ordered the NBI to determine why the warrant, issued last April 18, had not been served on the suspects. The Chief Executive also proclaimed May 3 to 9 this year as Mindanao Week, to fill the need to accelerate the social and political integration of the inhabitants of Mindanao into the national mainstream. During the week, there will be cultural presentations reflective of the ways of life in the southern region which w ill in effect boost tourism and promote awareness of our cultural heritage from that region.
[3] Official Gazette for April 27, 1970: P resident Marcos met anew with the leaders of both houses of Congress to further consider the means of speeding up passage of the minimum wage bill and the export levy bill. The President renewed his appeal to the Congress leaders for the early passage of the bill raising the minimum wage for industrial and agricultural workers, as a lever for minimizing the effects of rising prices. Present at the conference were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Senate Majority Floorleader Arturo M. Tolentino, Senators Lorenzo M. Tanada , Dominador R. Aytona , Wenceslao R. Lagumbay and Jose W. Diokno; House Majority Floor-leader Marcelino Veloso, Reps. Jose Alberto, Natalio P. Castillo and James Chiongbian . Also present were Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata , Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, “ jr. , Chairman Leonides S. Virata of the Development Bank of the Philippines, Chairman Placido Mapa , Jr., of the National Economic Council, Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy- Changco , Deputy Director General Apolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, and Eusebio Villatuya , president of the Philippine National Bank, After the meeting, which started at breakfast and ended more than three hours later, an agreement was reached on several specifics to help iron out controversies over portions of the export levy bill. Towards noon, the President motored to Quezon City where he addressed the opening session of the annual convention of the League of Provincial Governors and City Mayors. The President called on provincial and city executives to take the initiative in solving local problems and assured them of the full support of the national government. The President particularly emphasized to the provincial and city executives that they should be wary about those who would impose a “national democracy,” which he said, is just another term for “people’s democracy which the communists have coined. Touching on the current agitation for change, the President reminded the governors and city mayors that “we are the ones who should bring about change,” pointing out that they were chosen by the people to lead in changing the nation. “I appeal to you to utilize this power given by the people to bring about that change required by them,” the President stated. Noting that certain elements in the protest movement have proposed new systems of government, he said that the present democracy is “still much better than the systems” eyed by other factions. The President stressed that some “dissenters are trying to rise to power by fomenting disorders.” Enlarging on the tactics of communism, he said that communists “ride on any vehicle and if capitalism will advance communist interests.” the supporters of communism will align themselves with capitalism for as long as it will suit their purposes, The President was fetched from Malacañang by Governor Isidro Rodriguez of Rizal, chairman of the League of Provincial Governors and City Mayors. Except for these two activities, the President largely worked on state papers in his study. He did not receive callers for the rest of the day. The President ordered a study of government requirements in motor vehicles, with a 5-j’ear projection. In this connection, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. sent separate memorandums to the secretaries of national defense and of general services, asking them to coordinate on the possible standards to be followed in procurement. The President said that the projection should cover all offices and agencies of the government, including the armed forces, and should distinguish between vehicles to be secured by purchase and those through foreign assistance programs. He also asked that inquiry be made into the possibility of car manufacture in the country, utilizing local components as far as practicable.
[4] Official Gazette for April 28, 1970: P resident Marcos certified to Congress a number of urgent bills, among other matters he Look up during a long stint at his desk, which extended through almost all of his working day; from 8:00 in the morning to well over 8; 00 in the evening. The certified bills are: 1) House Bill No. 491, which seeks to propose that governing bodies or heads of offices concerned should be jointly liable with the collecting agent for the non-remittance of premiums. 2) Senate Bill No. 253, which seeks to amend the GSIS charter. 3) Senate Bill No. 28, which seeks to prohibit and penalize shipments of explosives and flammable corrosives or poisonous materials in passenger aircraft, and regulating the shipment of the same materials in cargo aircraft. 4) House Bill No. 1537, a consolidation of House Bills which seeks to create a Peace and Order Fund, to be constituted from the proceeds of the tax on travel and the tax on securities transactions, and for which purpose would amend Republic Act No. 1478, as amended, and the National Internal Revenue Code. 5) House Bill No. 679, and Senate Bill No, 74, both of which seek to accelerate national community development, converting for the purpose the Office of the Presidential Ann on Community Development into a regular department. 6) A proposed bill authored by Senator Alejandro Almendras which seeks to amend Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6124, also known as the Price Control Law. Occasional breaks occurred during the clay, such as the courtesy call of T. P. Wu, a Taiwanese who has been here studying local pulp production well qualified for the task, Wu is a manufacturer himself, and is involved with several companies in Taiwan concentrating on this medium. He promised to make a report on his observations here. The President at some time in the morning had two interviewers from overseas papers, one with Kenneth Gotti of Business .Asia; the other with Robert Novak of the Washington Post. Conferences made up the rest of his day, with Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata coming in with economic matters to discuss; Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina with a report on customs collections; and Dr. Manuel Lim, chairman of the Price Control Council, with recommendations for the amendment of the price control law. As usual, the President rounded out his day late in the night, with certain matters to study further. He ordered the immediate reactivation of the task force which spearheaded the anti-carnapping campaign in the past, with orders to nip the resurgence of widespread carnaping. The task force was placed under the supervision and control of the chief of constabulary.
[5] Official Gazette for April 29, 1970: P resident Marcos had a big group of callers—a delegation of governors and city mayors—who came upon the close of the annual convention of the League of Provincial Governors and City Mayors. In a talk with them, the President outlined the priorities for the release of previously frozen public works funds. He also discussed with them various problems in the provinces. The President advised the local executives to prepare their programs and requests for fund releases according to the priorities set, so that these funds, whenever available, can be included in the overall program. The main priorities are: 1) Portworks , particularly those which will boost export trade. 2) Schoolhouses, which will be alloted first to areas which suffered the total destruction or damage of such buildings. 3) Waterworks, which had been started but were stopped for one reason or another. The President also directed the Budget Commissioner and the Public works Director to determine which provinces up to now have no capitol funding, and to give top priority to the construction of the same. Through Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., the President also asked Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy- Changco to release initially P50,000 each for provinces which need to build capitol buildings. The total allocation authorized by the President for each provincial capitol was P400,000. It being congressmen’s day in Malacañang, the President also received all comers from Congress. Among those who saw him for consultations on various problems of their constituencies were Reps. Roque Ablan . Jr. of Ilocos Norte, Lorenzo Sarmiento of Davao del Norte, James Chiongbian of South Cotabato, William Chiongbian of Misamis Occidental, and Felipe Azcuria of Zamboanga del Norte. Apart from these callers, the President attended mostly to state papers. Among others, he certified a new batch of bills to Congress for early action. He also approved new appointments, most of them to the public schools system. Aside from the four bills, the President also certified Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 which would establish basic policies for social and economic development through environmental planning. The bills certified were: 1) House Bill No. 1056, which seeks to increase the rates of import duties on certain articles. 2) House Bill No. 537, which seeks to regulate the practice of agricultural technology in the Philippines. 3) Senate Bill No. 1, which seeks to ordain and institute a National Building Code of the Philippines. 4) House Bill No. 1674, which would recognize the juridical personality of, and exempt from taxation, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture. Appointed by the President were: 1) Dr. Clodualdo H. Leocadio as assistant director of the bureau of public schools. 2) Maria Clara Lorenzo- Lobregat as member of the Board of Administrators of the Philippine Coconut Administration; 3) Abraham R. Foronda as municipal judge of Kabugao , Kalinga- Apayao ; and 4) Dr. Estefania Aldaba Lim (re-appointment) member, Board of Textbooks. The President also created an executive committee which will take charge of the arrangements for holding the 21st Colombo Plan Consultative Committee meeting scheduled in the. Philippines next November. Named to compose the executive committee were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Manuel Collantes , chairman; and Commerce Undersecretary Johnny Araneta, Defense Undersecretary Manuel Q. Salientes , Education Undersecretary Juan Manuel, Presidential Executive Assistant Jacobo C. Clave, Assistant Executive Secretary Ponciano Mathay , NEC Executive Director Rizalino R. Pablo, PES Deputy Director-General Apolina-rio Orosa , Mayor Antonio Villegas, and Chief Budget Analyst Antonio de la Torre of the Budget Commission, members. He continued to study government reports and act on official papers through the afternoon, and into evening.
[6] Official Gazette for April 30, 1970: P resident Marcos spent most of the d ay out of Malacañang, as he visited Magalang , Pampanga where he participated in the rites breaking ground for the model farm community project in that town, inspected the Home Defense Force at San Isidro, a barrio of that town, and finally attended as guest of honor the anniversary celebration of the Tabak Division in Fort Magsaysay, Laur , Nueva Ecija, as well as the graduation exercises of the 20-year-old military trainees. In Magalang , the President said the success of the -pilot project will determine the future policy of the administration in pressing the land reform program. At San Isidro, the President announced that he had ordered the Armed Forces to organize home defense forces in every barrio where there is need for it, notably in Tarlac and Pampanga, as well as in other provinces. The President congratulated the organizers of the barrio home defense force and expressed the hope that it will be able to provide the necessary protection against lawless elements. Barrio San Isidro is vital to the maintenance of peace and order in Central Luzon because it lies at the very heart of Huklandia . It used to be a Huk sanctuary. The President, the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, their children, imee , Irene and Bongbong, left Malacañang at about 8:30 and flew to Magalang where they were met by a large delegation headed by Magalang Mayor Daniel Lacson , Filipinas Foundation Chairman Enrique Zobel, Rep. Jose B. Lingad and Gov. Francisco Nepomuceno of Pampanga. After the ground-breaking ceremony, the President proceeded to Barrio San Isidro where he inspected the home Defense Force, before flying on to Fort Magsaysay. Upon arrival at Fort Magsaysay, the President and his party proceeded to the post chapel for the Te Deum., and then to the parade ground where military honors and a review were rendered. After addressing the armed forces and the graduate trainees, the President witnessed a demonstration of an infantry battalion attack stage by elements of the Tabak Division with the support of helicopter units. After the demonstration and lunch at the officers Rest House, the President and his family returned to Manila, arriving at Malacañang about 2 p. m. Among those present at the Fort Magsaysay ceremonies were government officials led by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Reps. Leopoldo Diaz and Angel D. Concepcion, and Governor Eduardo Joson ; and the Armed Forces led by Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, General Manuel Yan. AFP chief of staff. Brig. Gen. Rafael Ileto, commanding general of the Philippine Army, Brig. Gen. Jesus Singson, chief of the Philippine Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, chief of the PC and former commanding general of the Tabak Division. In the afternoon, the President nominated Angel Limjoco , Jr. and Vicente Paterno as members of the Board of Investments. The President submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the names of 14 successful candidates for the post of Foreign Affairs Officer, Class IV, and as Vice Consul, who passed the prescribed examination given last year. Nominated were Maxie S. Aguillon , Bernarditas de Castro, Romeo A. Arguelles, Eloy Bello III, Jose U. Fernandez, Juanito P. Jarasa , Fortunate D. Ablena , Alfredo L. Almendrala , Clemencio F. Montesa , Ernesto C. Tullid , Edmundo B. Libid , Fructuoso D. Calagui , Erlinda D. Fadera , and Oscar G. Valenzuela. The President also issued an executive order naming additional members to the National Social Action Council.