June 19, 1970

[1] Official Gazette for June 20, 1970: P resident Marcos conferred at length with members of Congress and other ranking officials on the urgent bills that must be passed when the recessed special session is resumed next week. In the morning, however, he was unable to meet two engagements—a golf tournament with newsmen and a speech before the Veterans Federation because of developing sore throat. On advice of doctors he stayed indoors until he felt rested enough. At 12:30 he met with Congress leaders to discuss, among others the national budget and other bills to be included in the special session. The conference lusted through lunch and long afterward. Present at the meeting were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr., Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso; Senators Dominador Aytona and Lorenzo Teves, chairman and member, respectively, of the Senate committee on finance; Reps. Jose Alberto and Nicanor Yñiguez, chairman and member, respectively, of the House appropriations committee; Reps. Pablo Ocampo of Manila and Pablo Roman of Bataan. Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata and Commissioner of the Budget Faustino Sy-Changco also attended the meeting. In the afternoon, the President had a clear schedule and thus was able to concentrate on his desk work. Earlier, the President ordered a study and review of present policies embodied in land laws as well as administrative rules and regulations in the same area, with an eye to relating them to the need for land of peasants and farmers, small settlers, and the agro-industrial sector. The President’s order also created a committee to study, evolve, and recommend policies which would swiftly and equitably settle land disputes and assign priorities in the granting of titles to public lands. The primary aim of the order was to “relieve the ‘small man’ of the complexities of existing laws, rules and regulations relative to land disputes and the award of land titles.” In the speech read for him by Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata at} the opening of the 10th annual convention of Philippine lumbermen, held at the Hotel Inter-Continental, the President squarely set before lumbermen the responsibility of policing their own rank in order to apprehend despoilers of forestlands, saying that many loggers are culpable for the denudation of the nation’s forests. In default of such responsibility, he said, he would be forced to close valuable logging concessions to lumber firms, particularly those in watershed areas. The President vigorously urged greater collective effort in conserving forestlands and other natural resources, including wildlife, emphasizing that the diminution to a critical degree of any of these elements will make life for the nation virtually untenable. He particularly said that “the time is now” to escalate conservation efforts, and that it is “our duty not only to country and to our children but to life itself.” Among the lumber industry groups participating in the convention are: off Philippine Chamber of Wood Industries (PCWI), the Philippine r Lumber Producers’ Association (PLPA), the Plywood Manufacturer’s Association of the Philippines (PMAP), the Permanent Forests Association of the Philippines (PERMAFOR), and the Society of Filipino Foresters (SFF).

[2] Official Gazette for June 21, 1970: P resident Marcos directed the Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile to immediately investigate reports appearing in a morning newspaper to the effect that some PC men are engaged in racket involving the surrender of fake Huks in order to collect monetary rewards. The President directed Enrile to look into the veracity of the report with a view to prosecuting guilty parties in a court martial. Earlier in the morning, the President issued the following message in connection with the celebration of Philippine Day at Expo ’70, in Osaka, Japan: “We have all reason to be proud and jubilant on this special day for our country at the world exposition in Japan. The celebration of Philippine Day at this international fair recounts to us all the lofty and self-won position which our country now holds in the family of nations. The recent years have been specially kind to us, and we have emerged from anonymity to become a people more familiar to the other peoples of the world. Today, we maintain good and strong ties with other nations, not alone in the field of diplomacy, but in trade, in education, and in culture. This occasion offers us the opportunity to strengthen these ties, to elevate our exchange with other lands, and to enhance our place among the nations. I ask you all to join me in wishing our delegation to the exposition every success in the celebration of this day.” Among other actions, the President proclaimed Wednesday, June 24, this year as a special public holiday in the City of Manila marking the 399th anniversary of the city. In a message of condolence on the death of former President Sukarno of Indonesia, the President said: “President Sukarno was a leader who will be long remembered as the founder of the Indonesian Republic. It was he who welded Indonesia together in its most difficult years. Recent events have not diminished that role. We mourn the depth of one of Asia’s great leaders.” The President also sent congratulations to Prime Minister Edward Heath on his election as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

[3] Official Gazette for June 22, 1970: P resident Marcos said that the presidency throughout his administration shall be used to weld together the entire people of the Philippines, including the cultural minorities, into one nation and one Republic. Speaking at the 13th anniversary celebration of the Commission on National Integration, held at the Philamlife auditorium, the President pledged “it shall be my purpose to see to it that there should be no cultural minorities and that in lieu thereof everybody should be called Filipino, for that is the” very purpose of the Commission on National Integration.” The President also said that every Filipino, rich or poor, must work for the cultural minorities out of “love and affection and not for reward or recognition.” At midmorning, he watched the proceedings at the opening of the Philippine Pavilion in Osaka’s Expo ’70, made possible by satellite telecast; then was interviewed by a CBN staffer; then came the long distance call from the First Lady. Towards noon, the President received the officers of the gasoline dealers association, whom he inducted into office daring the call. Among those in the group were Col. Emiliano Ozaeta, president; Eufemio Domingo, vice president; Antonio Talao, secretary; Adelaida Sta. Teresa, treasurer; and Hilario Lopez, auditor. They were accompanied by Secretary of Commerce and Industry Ernesto Maceda. Ambassador Yacob Aaron of Israel called to bid goodbye to the President. The Israeli envoy will be away for six weeks on home leave. Other callers included: 1) Bella Bañez, daughter of the radio commentator slain in Isabel a, who was accompanied by Atty. Antonio Villanueva. 2) Miss Deirdre Bruton (1970 Queen of the Pacific) and Miss Sarah Dowlen (Miss Pearl of the Orient), the latter accompanied by her parents and PTTA Executive Director Salvador Peña. Miss Bruton is the first New Zealander to win the title held by the Philippines’ Miss Baby Santiago in 1968. She is travelling through the Pacific Area countries as part her prize. Miss Dowlen was chosen in a contest held in San Francisco, California. She will be in. the Philippines for 35 days. Her mother is a. Filipina from Davao City. 3) Rev. Richard Dunne who headed some 40 New York tourists. Fr. Dunne has a brother in the Ateneo now assigned in San Pablo City. Fr. Dunne had written the President about the trip and asked permission for the group to call on him. The President swiftly obliged and sent word he would receive them. The President was informed that church-inspired service to foreign students is the hospitality program in New York, among whose beneficiaries were Filipinos. With the group was Miss Irene Brawl, who was chosen Miss St. Ephrem (St. Ephrem’s Parish in New York). In a speech read for him by Agriculture Undersecretary Arturo Tanco, Jr., at the opening of the seminar on economic development and rural communication sponsored by the RBC, held at the Philippine National Bank building on the Escolta, the President asked other citizens, professionals and activists to follow in the path of the Rural Broadcasters Council and other entities committed to the “liberation of the barrio” from poverty, stagnancy and ignorance. The President said that- despite the great strides already made in improving the lot of the barrio folks, there remains much to be done. “It is axiomatic that a country’s progress depends on the energy and dedication of its oven people,” the President said, and in that context “because the mass of our people live in the barrio, we must therefore concentrate on harnessing the strength and the talents of the majority of our people to the attainment of progress.”

[4] Official Gazette for June 23, 1970: P resident Marcos had several conferences with ranking officials, taped an interview for television, and received a number of callers. The rest of his working day was devoted to state papers. Shortly after working in his study early in the morning, the President taped a program of the “Business Today” television show, with Business Editors Jess Bustamante of the Herald, Ray Naval of the Chronicle, and Arthur Sales of the Bulletin. Among- those he conferred with were Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and Col. James Barbers, deputy chief of the Manila Police; Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina, who reported on the current collections of the customs bureau; Rep. Fermin Cavara of Iloilo, who discussed problems of his constituency; and Mrs. Adelina Rodriguez, wife of Gov. Isidro Rodriguez of Rizal. The President whittled down his schedule of callers to give him more time for paper work. He remained in his study through the afternoon and evening-. In taking action on urgent matters of state, the President, among others: 1) Created a study and coordinating committee to expedite and systematize construction of the Manila Bay Project. Public Works and Communications Secretary Manuel B. Syquio was named chairman of the committee with Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata and NEC Chairman Placido L. Mapa, Jr. as members. 2) Directed PANAMIN Secretary Manda Elizalde to take measures to prevent the outbreak of violence in the T’boli settlement in Surala, South Cotabato. 3) Asked the fire victims of Barrios Ora East and Ora Center, Bantay, Ilocos Sur, to consider the offer of Senator Mamintal Tamano to relocate them in the Wao settlement in Lanao del Sur.4) Directed the National Bureau of Investigation to enter the investigation of the killing of Eddie Dasmariñas and Benilda Macalde, alleged members of the Kabataang Makabayan.

[5] Official Gazette for June 24, 1970: P resident Marcos stated the “Asian Dream” as the aspiration towards “peace and stability,” and underscored good management as “the key to the achievement” of these objectives. “This would require of every executive in every organization, private or public, including the Chief Executive of every nation, new managerial perspectives and resources,” he said. Appealing as keynote speaker at the ceremonies opening the Philippine Management Congress, held at the Asian Institute” of Management building, on Paseo de Roxas, Makati, Rizal, the President said that the congress “could be most profitably spent” in searching for solutions to the unfolding problems of the ’70s. “We should have no misconceptions about the enormity of economic problems” in this decade, he said, which if unresolved “could generate through a series of chain reactions increasing social and even political problems.” The decade of the 70s, he stressed, “will be a crucial one” for the Asian Pacific countries, and may well mark the take-off to real economic growth and social and political stability for the region. To succeed in this undertaking, he said, experienced and capable leaders of men are needed, with all executive positions manned by “men with a sincere love for people and the ability to make correct and timely management decisions.” (See pages 6207-A to 6207-D for full text of the President’s speech.) Early in the day, Ambassador Henry Byroade, U. S. envoy to the Philippines, called at Malacañang to discuss with the President matters affecting the two countries. They met in private. Senator Arturo M. Tolentino later in the morning called to request certification of the bill he will file in the Senate authorizing the secretary of education to assess and act on any proposal from private schools to increase tuition fees. The bill is the Senate version of the measure filed by Rep. Aguedo Agbayani in the House of Representatives. Towards noon, the President sat down with Paul Tabori. Hungarian-British writer, who is enroute back from the U.S. London. The interview lasted half an hour. In the afternoon, the President motored to Makati, Rizal where he was keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies of the Philippine Management Congress. Returning to Malacañang immediately after the speech, the President spent the rest of the day working at his desk. The President directed the National Library to design an economical but effective system for the organization and maintenance of barrio libraries and reading centers. The Chief Executive took this step after receiving the report that so far only 40 barrio libraries have been organized under the supervision of the National Library. The President instructed the NL to distribute more government publications through the National Library’s extension branches.

[6] Official Gazette for June 25, 1970: PRESIDENT MARCOS attended mostly to his desk’ work, with very few visitors on his schedule. The few who saw him included: 1) Col. Ruben A. Jose, commanding officer of the former Philcag, now deployed in Central Luzon for civic action and community development missions, who reported on the progress of its work, stressing that the unit is eagerly sought by barrio communities and warmly welcome everywhere it has sent work teams. 2) Charge d’affaires Antonio Pinto Machado of the Portuguese embassy here, who presented the President with color maps circa 16th century, when he called to say goodbye after a brief assignment as interim head of his embassy when Ambassador Julio Salcedas went on a four-month leave. The maps were similar to those used by Portuguese sailors, including Ferdinand Magellan, when they blazed ocean trails. 3) Brig. Gen. Romeo Espino, acting AFP vice chief of staff, who briefed the President on the proposed sale of military reservations in the Greater Manila area, as a way of generating funds to support the land reform program and other projects. 4) New officers of the U.P. Vanguard, a fraternity composed of alumni of the U.F. ROTC course, whom the President inducted. Those sworn in were Juanito T. Ventura, national commander; Col. Santiago Garcia (ret.), 1st vice commander; Jesus Fuentes, 3rd vice commander; Teodoro B. Javier, adjutant general; Ernesto Lolarga, national treasurer; Lt. Col. Benjamin Divinagracia, auditor; Teodoro Kalaw, Fred “Montilla” Francisco, Col. Apolinar Fajardo (ret.) and Lt. Col. Rodolfo Villarica, governors, Lt. Col. Ridao, JAG; Maj. Reynaldo San Gabriel, PRO; and Donato Pangilinan of the fund-raising committee.

[7] Official Gazette for June 26, 1970: President Marcos again focused on his desk work, among others preparing the message calling for a second special session of Congress to consider urgent bills, and issuing a circular enjoining all local government officials to stay at their posts in the face of problems to be solved, notably those involving the peace and order drive. Receiving only a few visitors, the President was able to concentrate on state papers brought to his attention. Among the few callers who saw him were: 1. Former Lanao del Sur Gov. Madki Alonto who discussed with the President the reports on alleged disintegration of civil authority in that province. The ex-governor was accompanied by Marawi City Engineer Boway Ramos, Provincial Engineer Baliawin Mamainte, NAWASA District Engineer Mamintal Adiong and Omar Mitmeg. 2. Chairman Faustino Tobia of Cebu Portland Cement Co., who consulted with the President on matters pertaining to the firm. 3. Rep. Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. and Gov. Samuel F. Reyes, both of Isabela, who discussed official concerns in their constituency with the President. The President remained in his study poring over state papers through the afternoon, and well into evening.

[8] Official Gazette for June 27, 1970: President Marcos received no visitors to concentrate on official papers. The only break came when he left Malacañang for the Manila International Airport to welcome the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, and their three children, Imee, Irene and Bong-bong, who returned from Japan. The President arrived unannounced at the Manila International Airport at 3:15 p.m. and was met by welcomers led by Vice President Fernando Lopez, other high officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and plain citizens. As soon as he entered the VIP kiosk, he was surrounded by a group of press, radio and television representatives who started firing questions at him and kept at it for about 12 minutes. As soon as the PAL jetliner, PI-C827, bearing the First Lady and her party, taxied to the MIA apron, the President climbed the ramp and entered the plane to greet his family. A few minutes later, Mrs. Josefa Edralin Marcos, mother of the President, also entered up the plane to greet the First Lady and her grandchildren. The President and the First Lady shortly emerged from the plane, accompanied by their children, and followed by the other members of the First Lady’s party, including BTTI Commissioner Gregorio Araneta, Jaime Zobel president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Architect Leandro Locsin. A delegation from Marinduque, led by retired Col. Arturo Sevilla, wore “moriones” masks and sang a welcome song, while thousands of others consisting of government workers, veterans, students and the general public waved welcoming placards at the First Lady. The First Lady, escorted by President Marcos, proceeded to the VIP kiosk for a brief press conference, after which they boarded a car for Malacañang. Enroute to Malacañang, the First Couple stopped at the entrance to the Nayong Pilipino to shake hands with another delegation, then motored on, arriving there at about 4:30 p.m. The President ordered the immediate arrest and deportation of a Chinese national “whose presence in the country is considered a menace to the peace and safety of the community.” Ordered arrested and deported by the first available transportation to China or Taiwan was Gregorio Lam Kuan, now residing at 1544 Lope de Vega, Sta. Cruz, Manila. The Chinese was convicted as a passer of counterfeit 20-centavo paper bills, at the time when the paper bills were still legal tender. The President also named Ernesto J, Bat tad as member of the Board of Examiners for Master Plumbers, vice Dominador Apalisok whose term had expired. Battad was a topnotcher in the board examinations for master plumber arid a Colombo Plan Fellow.

[9] Official Gazette for June 28, 1970: President Marcos went over state papers in his private study. At about 1:20 p.m., the President met with some town and. barrio officials of Tarlac and Pampanga, who consulted him on problems of their constituencies, and reported on activities of dissidents in their localities. The municipal officials present at the conference were La Paz Mayor Venustiano G. Martinez, Concepcion Mayor Rafael Suarez, Magalang Mayor Daniel Lacson, San Simon Mayor Lamberto Punzalan; and Barrio Captains Adriano Bato, Juan Alfaro, Loreto Manuel, Oscar Torres, Cerilo Juanatas, Jose Montoya, Felipe Angala, Eduardo Reyes, Pablo Cunanan and Eficinto Cuthon. Also present were Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, General Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, PC chief; and Brig. Gen. Felizardo Tanabe, IPC zone commander. The President continued his paper work later in the afternoon.

[10] Salvador Mascardo, Collector of Customs at Manila International Airport, was one of the eight children of Revolutionary General Tomas Mascardo.

[11] Official Gazette for June 29, 1970: President Marcos stressed the importance of the legislative measures which he had certified to the second special session of Congress, as he received the joint Senate-House committee who formally informed him of the opening of the session. The President called Congress to a second special session for not more than 80 days starting 10 a.m. today, earlier certifying 30 vital legislative measures for congressional action. During the call of the joint Senate-House committee, the President expressed the hope that the bills on export incentives, housing, and withholding and quarterly payment of the corporate income tax be given priority. He appealed for positive action on all other vital bills by Congress. The joint committee which called on the President at 10:45 a.m. was composed of Senators Lorenzo Teves, Mamintal Tamano and Genaro Magsaysay, representing the Senate; and Reps. Felix Fuentebella of Camarines Sur, Moises Escueta of Quezon and Macacuna Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur. The Filipinescas dancers called to pay their respects after completing a world-girdling tour during which the dance company garnered laurels, led by Mrs. Leonor Orosa Goquingco, the founder and choreographer of the dance group. Also with the dancers was Dr. Sixto Orosa, former head of the Philippine Historical Commission, father of Mrs. Goquingco, and a vigorous supporter of Filipinescas. The President congratulated the dancers for their distinguished performances, and noted that the group’s appearance at the Osaka Fair’s celebration of Philippine Day was “wonderful.” For the rest of the day, the President worked almost uninterruptedly in his study. The President sent the following cablegram to the executive committee of the 37th International PEN Congress held in Seoul, Korea, in connection with its adoption of a resolution on the conservation of the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia: The Philippine government extends its wholehearted support to the resolution adopted by the executive committee of the 37th International PEN Congress calling on all participating countries to exert efforts consistent with their national policies on Cambodia to safeguard and preserve the temples of Angkor Wat from destruction in view of the current conflict in Siem Reap. The Philippine government is prepared to join any concerted effort to voice concern for every activity which may lead to the destruction of cultural treasures. It is our view that priceless cultural treasures belong to all mankind. The President also congratulated the Philippine delegation headed by Press Secretary Francisco S. Tatad for sponsoring the resolution, which was unanimously approved.

[12] James F. Donelan, S.J. was rector of the Ateneo July 1965-April 1969.

[13] Official Gazette for June 30, 1970: President Marcos devoted himself to the study of official reports, other official papers and otherwise worked quietly in his study. His schedule precluded any callers. Among others, he acted on several problems brought to his attention while ordering deeper study of other concerns of the government. At least two directives were made known by his office, namely: 1. An order creating an inter-agency committee to resolve jurisdictional conflicts which have stymied the speedy settlement of land disputes in some barrios of Tanay, Rizal. 2. An order to the Presidential Assistant on Housing and Resettlement Agency to expedite the relocation of squatters on Constitution Hill and the Government Center in Quezon City. The new directives were aimed at unraveling the matted regulations governing land acquisition by settlers and combatting landgrabbing. The President was set to reclassify all lands occupied by settlers and to release and transfer to the Land Authority the administration of land settlements, now held by the Bureau of Forestry. Other steps the President has taken include: 1. Directing the Land Authority and the Solicitor General’s Office to oppose petitions for land registration of private lands under the claim of Spanish titles since the areas are still part of the forest zone; and 2. Directing the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to investigate all cases of corruption against forestry bureau personnel with those found guilty to be prosecuted immediately.