Monday
Started dieting on Delmor and pospas last night up to today.
But was cleared of ulcers or my growth in the GI [gastrointestinal] tract when I went through a GI series of X-Rays in Makati Medical Center with Dr. Piedad and Dr. Villacorta with Dr. Yap and Zagala attending.
So it is plain hyperacidity which should disappear with less tension and dieting.
Met some of the San Miguel Dealers of Andy [Andres] Soriano [Jr.] this morning after golf, then cabinet meeting on the reorganization plan.
Rest and a meeting with the Congressional leaders including Montano at 4:00-6:30 PM. Met Mayor Villegas at 7:00-7:30 on the statement of Atty. Lupiño Lazaro of Pasang-Masda [Pangkalahatang Samahan ng Maynila at Suburbs Drivers Associations] that the students, apparently Vic Clemente and Chito Sta. Romana, were inciting them to a revolution. The drivers refused and now dissociate themselves from the radical students. But they will still continue the fight for lower prices of oil products.
Met Delegate [Celso] Gangan of Isabela. Cocky and half-ignorant of constitution making like most young delegates.
10:15 PM February 23, 1971[1]
Tuesday
Spoke before the Colombo Plan conference at Savoy at 10:00 AM. I attach my speech. It was met with a standing ovation.
Met the DND [Department of National Defense] Secretary and Generals [Manuel] Yan, [Romeo] Espino, [Eduardo] Garcia, [Felizardo] Tanabe, [Zosimo] Paredes and [Mariano] Ordoñez.
Gen. Garcia who just arrived from Mindanao reports that the Upi-Lebak area is under control but the Pikit-Pagalungan area is boiling with unrest. In Pikit the mayor is the son of Datu Udtog Matalam while the mayor of Pagalungan is his daughter.
Gen. Garcia reports that last Saturday a PC [Philippine Constabulary] detachment of 15 men in Pikit was surrounded by 100 black-uniformed armed men of the MIM (Moslem Independence Movement) and threatened with liquidation. The detachment commander radioed for support and Lt. Col. Cajello brought 50 PC men to his aid. While the relieving column was on the way, they were provoked into a fire fight. The MIM suffered 40 dead which were surreptitiously buried (some of them policemen of Pikit and Pagalungan), the MlM keeping quiet about these casualties.
The PC suffered no casualties.
Last Sunday or Saturday, in the presence of 400 armed black-uniformed MlM soldiers in their training camp in Pagalungan, a mortar was test-fired (5 rounds).
The mayor of Parang, Cotabato has armed 800 policemen. He is the biggest smuggler in the south. The mayor of Malalang, Lanao del Sur has done the same thing.
The demonstrations in Davao City on the 16th got out of control and resulted in a riot and destruction which was ended only by the arrival of 50 PC men to support the helpless 400 policemen. Mayor Lopez is asking for reinforcements.
So is the mayor of Mindsayap, Cotabato, Dequena.
I have directed a heavy weapons company with a battery of 105 howitzers and mortars to give support to the 850 PC men in Cotabato.
But my instructions is not to provoke farther clashes nor to be provoked into one but to wait until the MIM [Muslim/Mindanao Independence Movement] concentrate into an open test of strength when they should be hit with all we have. If possible apprehend all of them in one blow.
The same strategy should be followed in Greater Manila. No dissipation of our strength and forces in minor clashes or in riot control which should be left to the local police forces.
Inasmuch as we know the plans of the communists to burn and blow up different parts of Greater Manila to divert attention and then move towards their true objective which might be massive assassination, terrorism and a take-over of critical government installations or buildings, it becomes necessary to adopt this strategy.
Even in the UP [University of the Philippines] we should let the students hole in, consolidate their positions and get support from outside and then surround them and apprehend them in one swift operation avoiding casualties.
It has been reported that Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] who was in Cotabato for three days feels that the agitation in Cotabato is caused by Malaysian agents.
I spoke before the Catholic Broadcasters c/o Father Reuther [James Reuter, S.J.] at 4:00 PM. I attach my speech, mostly ad lib. Talked to Father [Cornelio] Lagerwey [MSC] about his three publications, Ang Tao, Now and Phil. Digest.
Then gave a reception for the Colombo Plan Conference head of delegations at 6:30 PM at the State Dining Room.
For the first time a delegation from Bhutan the head of which is the Minister of Development who came with his wife in their native dress which is woolen cloth with colors similar to the Igorots.
Bhutan has about a million population, one child of every family, at least, becoming a monk or a nun. 70% of the land area is forested. It has all kinds of big game including elephants, rhino, tiger, buffalo and that most elusive of big game the Marco Polo sheep.
The minister invited me to go hunting in Bhutan.
The chief delegate of Korea who is a scientist told me he was wishing to himself that he had the power to bring me to Korea to campaign for President Park [Chung-Hee] in the elections next April.
I met Atty. Lupiño Lazaro of Pasang Masda [Pangkalahatang Samahan ng Maynila at Suburbs Drivers Associations] and he confirmed in writing the efforts of the radical students (Vic Clemente of the KM [Kabataang Makabayan], Julius Fortuna of MDP [Movement for a Democratic Philippines], Crispin Aranda of the STAND [Students For National Democracy], and Eric Baculinao of the SDK [Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan]) to convince the drivers to start a revolution.
Their executive officer, Leto Villar of Pateros, has turned into a KM and a radical fomenting revolution. He has been kicked out of Pasang Masda.
I attach the statement of Lazaro.
He agreed to have some of his men infiltrate the radicals to obtain intelligence, locate Jose Maria Sison and their cache of firearms and ammo specially the house where allegedly a Bulacan drivers’ federation head was brought and given an Armalite and twelve grenades.
7:45 PM February 24, 1971[2]
Wednesday
Just finished the conference on the reorganization bill with the Reorganization Commission and the leaders of Congress before which I had a conference with the Senate President, Senate Pres. Pro Tempore, Speaker and House Majority Floor Leader.
We have decided to extend the period within which I can submit the reorganization bill to Congress set Mar. 6th by another sixty days within which I can work out the conflicts of position.
And instead of directly adopting the lay-off of 30,000 employees (12,000 regulars and 18,000 casuals) we ask the Budget Commissioner and the Reorganization Commission to work out the statistics of savings and employees affected if we instead freeze the level of employment for the next several years.
We have given the members of Congress the reorganization plan for more deliberate study and meet at the DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] hall at 3:00 PM on Mar. 11th with all the members of both the Senate and the House.
This morning I met the proposed panel on the Conference in Geneva on the Law of the Sea which would put up an international regime that would control the use, exploitation and control of seas beyond the 12 mile limit from land.
This is going to affect the oil concessions we have given out on the Palawan shelf as well as the fishing grounds there which is one of the richest in Southeast Asia.
While we have occupied Nanshan Island and Flat Island, Itu A[b]a[3] is occupied by the Nationalist Chinese.
We are going to occupy the other islands of the Spratley group.
We feel that the Nationalist Chinese with their problem of the Red Chinese entry into the United Nations will not make an issue out of it.
During the war, the Japanese used the big island Itu Ata [sic] as an air base for attacking the Philippines. And if the Communist Chinese should ever get Taiwan or Chiang Kai Shek dies and his son Chiang Ching Kuo joins hands with Mao [Zedong], then Itu Ata [sic] and the other islands fall into communist hands and will be a direct threat to the Philippines.
10:00 PM February 25, 1971[4]
Thursday
There are conflicting reports about the demonstrations tomorrow. I attach a note from one of our agents to Maj.[Dioscoro E.] Yoro, my aide de camp[5], and the SND’s [Secretary of National Defense] daily report predicting a peaceful demonstration.
And so is the situation in Cotabato. Some telegraphic reports claim the Christians like the Ilongos are massacreing the Muslims. But Gen. [Eduardo] Garcia and Cong. [James] Chiongbian of South Cotabato report otherwise.
For one thing, it is now definite that the MIM [Mindanao Independence Movement] has organized a small army.
I was surprised to see Chino [Joaquin] Roces at the meeting of businessmen at the house of Freddie Elizalde. I was friendly to him and asked him to help out in reestablishing normalcy in our country.
He has just checked out of the hospital for a heart ailment. But he looked stouter and tried to look and act jolly although he was tense.
He said that I should not allow a religious war to develop in Cotabato, acting as always all-knowing.
The briefing on Land Reform and Cooperatives specially on the Magalang Project and the pilot cooperatives in Llavera and Gen. Ricarte, Nueva Ecija of the N. E. (Integrated Project) by Buddy Gomez and Dr. del Rosario, project directors, was impressive. Manolo Elizalde told me so and asked farther why nothing has been published about them.
It actually was a presentation of My Vision for the Filipino Farmer.
I have asked a pamphlet to be prepared along this line for dissemination.
We also took up mining and oil prospecting as well as Education reorientation as well as Industrial Apprenticeship.
Met Sen. [Lorenzo] Teves, Cong. Tito Dupaya and [Gaudencio] Beduya on the Oil Commission bill, Andy [Andres] Cosalan on the gold subsidy bill and Albano on the requests of the northern congressmen.
Then saw Hans (Gen. Menzi). I am awarding him a Legion of Honor and asked him to get in touch with French officials on how they could help us. I informed him I wanted him to go to France on this with the personal rank of ambassador. He seemed tickled.
Imelda has just come in at 10:25 PM from [Edmundo] Munding Reyes’ house where he has met the girls—the Blue Ladies.
She is excited about her new project of the new Green Revolution, which merely means gardening, poultry, piggery, dairy-farming—or intensive farming.
And this could mean the involvement of all the people in the democratic revolution.
And it could tie up with the Land Reform and Cooperatives project.
8:00 PM February 26, 1971[6]
Friday
Monseñor [Gerard] Mongeau of Cotabato, Com. [Raoul] Beloso of the Small Farmers Commission and Com. Mama Sinsuat all confirm the fact that the violence in North Cotabato is open rebellion by the armed elements of the Moslem Independence Movement and not just a conflict of political factions or a fight over land. It is a secessionist movement to set up an independent Moslem state.
And it is probable that there are Malaysian provocateurs or Sabahan agents.
They repeated these in a TV interview this afternoon at 5:00 PM. During the interview, I talked to Gen. Tutaan who confirmed that four PC [Philippine Constabulary] companies have surrounded the triangle of Pikit, Pagalungan and Midsayap but not taking any aggressive action. And anyway, the black-shirted Muslims have gone back to peaceful pursuits, hidden their guns (some burying them).
And Udtog Matalam is crying and squealing against the PC. He probably feels his losses of 27 men definitely dead in the fire fight on Friday (a week ago) from several M-79 grenades.
I attach note of PC Chief, Gen. Eduardo] Garcia.
Ambassador [Henry] Byroade is deeply worried about the piracy and theft (including that of firearms and ammunition) in Subic Base.
I attach his notes of incidents in the base.
I also took up with him the U.S. GAO [Government Accountability Office] teams report and the distribution of reinforced school houses. I attach the note of Sec. [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] on these.
Also met with Sec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] and Dir. [Fernando] Busuego on the standards for the grant of petroleum concessions.
Reviewed the forest regulations and got the map of concessions and their location.
11:30 PM February 27, 1971[7]
Saturday
As we expected the Muslim leaders of Cotabato denied the existence of an army of the Moslem Independence Movement. Congressman Salipada Pendatun came back all the way from New York. Mayor Udtog Matalam of Pikit came to say that his father could not come. So did Blah and Ester Sinsuat, Gov. [Simeon] Datumanong and Mayor Dalid, the Pres. of the mayors’ league.
They claimed that the fighting were mistaken encounters.
The PC [Philippine Constabulary] (Gen. [Eduardo] Garcia and Lt. Col. [Carlos] Cajelo) stand by their stories and quote the detachment commanders Lts. Soria and Dres who were fired upon both in Thursday, Feb. 19th, and Friday, Feb. 20th by black-shirted armed men. The intelligence agents report that black is the color of the uniforms of the MIM; that a tailor in Pikit makes them; that the cloth is British khaki.
After a 4-hour conference we agreed that the PC should aggressively disarm all men with unlicensed firearms, attack and pursue all those who start violence and maintain peace and order impartially for Christian and Moslem alike.
We are going to set up Edcor [Economic Development Corps]-type farms but on a cooperative basis like the Magalang or the Llavera projects on a larger scale. All these for all—Christians, Moslems and Tirurays living in separate areas but in one settlement and under one Army Administration.
We have prepared our position on the conference on the Law of the Sea. And prepared the projected occupancy of the islands in the Spratley group except Itu Aba which is apparently occupied by the Nationalist Chinese.
I enclose the papers. But I have ordered added the position that we oppose an international regime which does not recognize our rights or attempts licensing activities.
10:20 PM February 28, 1971[8]
Sunday
Henry Ford II and his wife Cristina with six others including a Mrs. Rothschild arrived and paid a courtesy call on me and Imelda this afternoon at about 6:00 PM.
We give them dinner tomorrow night after Amb. [Henry] Byroade’s then go for a cruise on the 777 for Corregidor. They can rest in the boat.
I give him a decoration (The Award of the Golden Heart) after or before the dinner for the help he has given us through the Ford Foundation.
I have asked the Budget Commission to submit to me an official report on the alleged transfers from the Rural Improvement Fund, the Health Dept. and the National Defense to the House of Representatives totaling P26 million in 1969. These are charges of Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] in a privilege speech.
He should never be taken seriously, as I told the magazine editors in an interview yesterday.
I have directed Gen. [Eduardo] Garcia (Chief, PC [Philippine Constabulary]) to prove the existence and identity of the black-shirted Moslems who attacked the Christian settlers and PC soldiers in Midsayap and Pikit. The newspapers claim that no one can identify the blackshirts when the PC, the local officials and the settlers themselves say that the blackshirts are Moslems and the armed elements of the Moslem Independence Movement.
And there have been two incidents—one in Libungan where a patrol of the 27th BCT [Battalion Combat Team] answering a call for help and a PC man came upon eight armed men and in the firefight that followed, the 8 armed men left one dead body; another incident in Alameda when the PC again met an undetermined number of Moslems and in the fire fight that followed, 40 Moslems were killed.
Congressman Salipada Pendatun and Gov. [Simeon] Datumanong have been insincere all along, claiming that there is no MIM or training grounds for its armed elements.
I hurried back to Malacañang after 18 holes of golf in Manila Golf to meet the Southeast Asian Bankers at 12:30 PM. I was supposed to meet them at 11:30 AM but nobody bothered to remind me. I laughingly told them that on the rare occasions when I play outside Malacañang Park, there are standing orders that I be not disturbed except in case of war—and only if the war is with the United States.
I attach the names of those I met.
I also attach some notes and cables through the Dept. of Foreign Affairs.
I met [Guillermo] Torres of the University of Mindanao and he told me graphically of the riots in Davao City and the destruction of property, his University included.
He offered his Mindanao Radio Networks for government. What the threat of demonstrations and riots can push men into righteous action!!
[1] Official Gazette for February 23, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS devoted most of the morning to his desk work, then motored to the Savoy Hotel where he was the keynote speaker at the ministerial meeting of the Colombo Plan. in his address, the Chief Executive underscored the need for organized cooperation among nations “on a scale that transcends regional and ideological boundaries,” as an imperative for survival of all developing and “rich and developed nations.” “The dominant anxiety of our times center on the necessity to remove the source of this major peril to the future of human society,” the President asserted. This source, he said, is found in the “existing disparity between the few powerful states and the many weak states with their impoverished peoples,” the sharp disparity in the conditions of life, economic opportunities and social status. “Indeed a disparity,” the President added, “that is an anachronism and an abnormality in the modern world.” The President said that there has developed from this disparity the urgent need to “defuse the tension and impatience in depressed regions that comprised the ‘Third World.’ “ In the afternoon, the President addressed the conference of Catholic Broadcasters in Asia held at the Malacañang Ceremonial Hall, during which he urged communication media men to abide by the truth in reporting or expounding on the news, relating this activity to the proper and peaceful realization of reform and change. He said that he had no doubt that the overwhelming majority of the Filipino people can be mobilized by network media to provide the power for effecting the “radical process of democratic change that I envision.” The President told the broadcasters that it is “up to men like you, artisans of the spoken word and molders of responsible thought, to pour into this waiting matrix (the people’s hearts and minds) the substance of the Filipino dream and the spirit of reform that will make the fulfillment of that dream possible in our time.” Then, at about 6:30 p.m., the President and the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, hosted a merienda for the delegates to the Colombo Plan conference. Among those present were Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, Undersecretary Manuel Collantes, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Narciso Ramos, Secretary of Labor Blas F. Ople, NEC Chairman Gerardo Sicat, Assistant Executive Secretary Ponciano G. A. Mathay, Japanese Ambassador Toshio Urabe, Deputy Prime Minister Pote Sarasin of Thailand, Minister Richard Wood for Overseas Development of the United Kingdom, and the delegates from Australia, Bhutan, Burma, Canada, Ceylon, India, Indonesia, Iran, Khmer Republic, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, United States, Vietnam and Germany.
[2] Official Gazette for February 24, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS received in the morning the board of directors of the Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers and Assessors Association of the Philippines, who extended an invitation to the President to keynote their annual convention on March 15, 1971. Afterwards, the President worked at his desk, but in-between, he also received callers, among whom, were Reps. Constantino Navarro of Surigao del Norte, James Chiongbian of South Cotabato, Roberto Sabido of Albay, Angel Concepcion of Nueva Ecija, Manuel Zosa of Cebu and municipal officials of Paranaque headed by Mayor Florencio Bernabe who discussed local problems with him. In the afternoon, the President presided over a joint meeting of the leaders of both chambers of Congress and members of the Cabinet, during which Reorganization Commission Chairman Armand Fabella briefed them on the proposed reorganization bill to effect simplicity, efficiency and economy in the government service. During the conference, the President was also assured by the leaders of Congress that the deadline for his submission of the National Government reorganization bill will be extended another 60 days up to May 5. Under the law, the President has to submit the bill not later than 40 days after the start of the regular session of Congress or up to March 5. The President then explained to the Congress leaders that he could use the time to review the report with them, since the bill has to be rejected or approved en toto. It was later decided by the President and the legislative leaders that a series of meetings be held with all members of both Houses of Congress present, in order to thresh out points of possible disagreement and insure the swift passage of the bill. Present at the meeting were Senate President Gil J. Puyat and President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Majority Floorleader Arturo M. Tolentino and Minority Floorleader Gerardo M. Roxas; Speaker Jose B. Laurel. Jr. and Speaker Protempore Jose Aldeguer, House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso and Minority Floorleader Justiniano Montano; Senators Benigno Aquino, Jr. and Lorenzo Teves, and Reps. Rogaciano Mercado and Rafael Legaspi, representing the Senate and House panels in the Reorganization Commission; Reorganization Commissioners Cesar Zalamea and Roberto Ongpin, Executive Director Abelardo Samonte; Secretaries Cesar E. A. Virata of Finance, Manuel B. Syquio of Public-Works and Communications, Onofre D. Corpuz of Education and Blas F. Ople of Labor; Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., NEC Chairman Gerardo Sicat and Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco. During the day, the Chief Executive submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the names of five nominees to various local posts. Nominated were Gregorio Besinga, as city treasurer of Surigao City; Antolin J. Ouano, as register of deeds of Mandaue City; Saaduddin A. Alauya, Jose G. Genilo, Jr., and Santos Adiong as municipal judges of Bubong and Ditsaan, Lanao del Sur; Calapan, Mindoro Oriental; and Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, respectively.
[3] In the diary he wrote Itu A t a, the largest of the naturally occurring islands in the Spratlys.
[4] Official Gazette for February 25, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS concentrated on paper work, in the course of which he directed the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to expedite action on mining claims, and Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos to personally conduct an investigation into the graft charges aired by Sen. Alejandro D. Almendras against two members of the Cabinet and six other government officials. Charged by the senator for having allegedly violated the Anti-Graft Law were Secretaries Manuel B. Syquio of Public Works and Communications and Onofre D. Corpuz of Education, CAA Administrator Federico Ablan, Jr., former secretary of General Services Salih Ututalum, acting Telecommunications Director Pedro Villaseñor, NDC Chairman Constante Fariñas, former officer-in-charge Celerino Delgado of the Bureau of Supply Coordination, and former Public Schools Director Jose Enriquez. The President ordered the Justice Secretary to “proceed with a full-dress investigation of the charges to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support the alleged culpability of these officials under the anti-graft and corrupt practices law.” He likewise told Secretary Abad Santos to submit to him before the end of the week his recommendations on whether or not any or all of the officials charged should be temporarily suspended pending the investigation of the charges. Toward noon, the President took time out to meet the officers of the Association of Rice Millers of Bulacan, with whom he threshed out the problem of rising prices in Manila and suburbs. The President asked the group to stabilize prices at present levels, poising drastic action if hoarding and rice manipulations are resorted by rice dealers. Present at the meeting with the President were Secretary of Commerce and Industry Ernesto Maceda, Undersecretary Troadio Quiazon, Jr., Undersecretary of Agriculture Jose D. Drilon, Jr., RCA General Manager Pedro Rodrigo and Mrs. Magdalena Santos, head of the Association. In the afternoon, the President continued his desk work, during which he prepared and went over the list of nominees to various public posts he sent to the Commission oh Appointments for confirmation. In one of the directives he issued in the afternoon, the Chief Executive ordered the AFP to refrain from initiating any aggressive action against the so-called black-shirts in Mindanao and to stop any intended reinforcement of the troops there. He gave the order as he appealed for sobriety and calmness and asked all these in a position to help ease tension in the South. The President indicated that a more definitive action on this matter would await reports from the field from two teams now in Mindanao, one of them headed by Brig. Gen. Rafael Ileto, Philippine Army commander.
[5] Maj. Later Col. Dioscoro E. Yoro, Jr, was a friend and aide-decamp of Marcos an enemy of Gen. Fabian Ver
[6] Official Gazette for February 26, 1971: P resident Marcos conferred with Director of Forestry Jose Viado and Director of Mines Fernando Busuego, Jr. on the progress of priority projects being undertaken by their respective bureaus. Director Viado presented to the President a vegetative map of the Philippines delimiting the areas for forest reserves, national parks, principal logging concessions, commercial forests, alienable and disposable lands which were given priority in the budget proposals submitted by the President to Congress. In land classification, priorities were given to reservations for native settlers and cultural minorities, while in land subdivision, preferences were given to actual occupants or tillers. Director Busuego, on the other hand, reported that the delay in the issuance of permits for oil exploration was due to the failure of many applicants to meet standard policy requirements. The President has ordered expeditious action on pending permits, and laid down the policy that only applicants who are technically and financially competent should be given licenses for oil explorations. Also at the conference were Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. and Antonio Quejado, presidential assistant on forest matters. Earlier in the morning, the President conferred with U.S. Ambassador Henry Byroade. Then the President received Rep. Jiew Jow Leou of Nationalist China who presented him with a maple sculpture of the “god of good luck which, he said, was a sample of one of the native handicraft in Taiwan. Later, the President inducted the newly elected officers of the Philippine Automotive Association headed by Anthony Lee. In the afternoon, he conferred with government officials and religious leaders who came from Cotabato on their assessment of the peace and order situation in the province. Present at the conference were Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, PC chief; Commissioner of National Integration Mama Sinsuat, Commissioner of Small Settlers Raoul Beloso, Bishop Gerard Mongeau of Cotabato City, and members of the mass media. The President also issued an Executive Order creating The Order of Kalantiao award to be given to any citizen of the Philippines for exceptional and meritorious services in the administration of justice and in the field of law. The Order of Kalantiao is divided into four ranks, as follows: 1. First Class—for extraordinary services and high standards of performance in the judicial branch of government, notably in the Supreme Court, or in the field of international law; 2. Second Class—for exceptionally meritorious services in the judicial and other branches of government; 3. Third Class—for outstanding services in the administration of justice in the government; 4. Fourth Class—for excellent services in the enhancement of the rule of law and high degree of professionalism and integrity in private law practice. In his Executive Order creating the decoration, the President also said that the Order of Kalantiao may also be awarded posthumously to any person entitled thereto, in which case it shall be received by his legal heirs or nearest kin.
[7] Official Gazette for February 27, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS worked at his desk for most of the morning acting on state papers and other official business. At noon he broke off, to receive a delegation composed of members of the Future Farmers of the Philippines and the Future Agricultural Homemakers of the Philippines. The President was visibly relaxed with the young people, whom he lauded for being engaged at their age in a very important area of activity, saying that the escalation of national efforts to develop fully the agricultural potentials of the country requires the participation of the young. The President urged rural youths who have migrated to urban centers to “renew their kinship with the soil and thus help the government increase its capabilities in fully exploiting the green revolution to benefit the mass of the people.” He told the students that one of the top priorities in the Reorganization Plan of the government is related to the reorientation of the entire educational system from academic to vocational education with emphasis on agricultural courses. The delegation was accompanied to Malacañang by officials of the Bureau of Vocational Education, headed by Assistant Director Napoleon Dignadice. After lunch, the President rested briefly then returned to his desk work. He remained at his study till about 5 p.m. when he conferred with Mindanao leaders on the Cotabato situation. Among those present were Gov. Simeon Datumanong and Lt. Col. Carlos Cajelo, PC provincial commander and co-chairmen of the Peace Commission, Bishops Gerard Mongeau and Constantino Manguramas, members; Mayor Dima Dalid of Carmen, president of the Cotabato Mayors League, Undersecretaries of national Defense Efren Plana and Jose M. Crisol, Undersecretary of Agriculture Jose Drilon, Jr., Undersecretary of Justice Guillermo Santos, Sen. Mamintal A. Tamano, Rep. Salipada A. Pendatun, Commissioner of Small Settlers Raoul Beloso, Commissioner of National Integration Mama Sinsuat, Mayor Udtog Matalam, Jr. of Pikit, Duma Sinsuat, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Mrs. Ester Blah Sinsuat, Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen Rafael Ileto, PA commanding general, and Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, PC chief.
[8] Official Gazette for February 28, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS limited his schedule of callers to only one group, even as he concentrated more on official papers and other matters of state. He started his paper work after having breakfast, then broke off at about 11:30 a.m. to receive the governors of Central Banks of several Asian countries who had met in Baguio City on regional cooperation. The bank officials, who were accompanied to Malacañang by CB Gov. Gregorio Licaros, included Ismael Bin Mohamed Ali of Malaysia, Radius Prawiro of Indonesia, Long Boret of Cambodia, Y. P. Pant of Nepal, and Nguyen Van Dong of South Vietnam. Following the call of the CB governors, the President had lunch, then took a brief rest. He resumed his desk work later in the afternoon.