______ the matter to their government.[1]
The chancellor for mini-basketball from Malaysia came to pay a courtesy call.
In the afternoon I meet President Hammer Roburt of Nauru, the smallest republic in the world of 8.4 hectares with 6,000 inhabitants. The whole island is phosphate.
Then I met Sen. Pres. Gil Puyat on the special session and the problems of each senator including [Arturo] Tolentino whom he considers a traitor of unpardonable deceit, [Jose] Diokno, a flunky of the Lopezes and Doming [Dominador] Aytona who is acting more and more like an influence peddler as the protector of the Iligan Integrated Steel Mill.
Worked with Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal, Cong. [Carmelo] Barbero and Armin Gustilo on the constitutional convention. I am content with the preparations.
11:15 PM May 28, 1971[2]
Friday
The Constitutional Convention by a vote of 117 by 102 ____ to invite me to speak at the opening ceremony. I attach the report of Jake on it. Dr. Ciceron Calderon had told me the preparatory committee would seek a vote on the question. Rather tight vote, but I had said that I would not attend and _____ to seek the help of anyone.
Awarded the Golden Heart to Dr. Clark Bloom of the Ford Foundation this morning.
Worked on the agricultural policies with Sec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] and Usec. [Jose] Drilon [Jr.]. I directed that in the southern islands as well as the island of Luzon, we must establish permanent forests where forest concessioners ______ not be directed as they are now to allow their ______ to whom are given the permit to cut down trees in alienable and disposable land.
Then I [directed] Dir. [Juan] Mariano of the Bureau of Soils to finish the soil map of the Philippines so that I can tell whatever town I may be checking what kind of soil there is, the fertilizer needed, the plants recommended to be produced.
I also directed the Lingayen shoreline from subject to private rights if any, to be surveyed and I have declared the area as communal fishing ground.
I have directed the director of Animal Industry (Dir. Pedro Refuerzo) to report on the propagation of our new breed of miracle chicken which lays 300 or more eggs a year. Most chickens lay a little over 200 eggs a year.
In the afternoon I met Adm. [John] McCain [Jr.] C in C, PAC [Commander in Chief, Pacific Command] who had aired his doubts as to whether it was not possible that we, the Filipinos, would not give the Russians military bases. I assured him that there was no fear about it.
Adm. McCain is here on the Mutual Defense Board of the U.S. and the Phil. meetings. His son, a combat pilot, was shot down some time ago, and is in prison within North Vietnam.
Tonight, as we were discussing the news that the Russians have anchored big buoys in the oceans to which submarine tenders can catch on and thus have a mid-ocean port for their ships, I had occasion to explain to Imelda what we have done for our country.
We have reduced the length of the lease of the bases from 99 years to 25 years.
We have reduced the area of the bases.
We are getting Sangley P[oin]t. back.
We got back 10,000 hectares of Clark Air Force Base.
We got back 400 hectares of Camp John Hay.
We are now negotiating the military bases.
And we are negotiating the Laurel-Langley Agreement.
There is one buoy of the Russians marked USSR [Union of Soviet Socialist Republics] 300 miles east of the Philippines, possibly within Philippine waters. I must direct an investigation of this so we can file a protest.
10:30 PM May 29, 1971[3]
Saturday
Have been busy putting the pieces together in yesterday’s Constitutional Convention resolution inviting me to address the convention. That the vote was so close on a question which turned out to be so crucial inasmuch as it is now interpreted either as a repudiation or vindication of my leadership, came as a surprise to many.
And I had never been informed of the pivotal issue and how it may turn out against me. If we had been so informed I would have been sorely tempted to utilize all facilities to bring about a favorable vote.
So, probably, it is best as it happened. For I had announced that I would not attend the opening ceremonies a week ago. And the matter of inviting me to speak was raised the more of Delegate Roseller Lim to speak on a matter of personal privilege (that he would be booed if he spoke in favor of inviting me to speak). Then Delegates Domingo Veloso of Leyte and Manolo Cruz of Bulacan filed the formal motion to invite me to speak.
Delegate Mariano Badelles of Lanao del Norte openly opposed Delegate [Decoroso] Rosales of Samar and locked horns with him in debate.
Delegate [Jose] Nolledo of Palawan, [Salvador] Britanico of Iloilo were prominent in supporting the move.
Delegates [Eduardo] Quintero of Leyte, [Fernando] Bautista of Benguet (Baguio), [Elizabeth] Chiongbian [Johnston] (daughter of Cong. William Chiongbian), [Adolfo] Azcuna (son of Cong. Felipe Azcuna of Zamboanga del Norte), [Celso] Gangan and [Heherson] Alvarez of Isabela all voted “no.”
Delegate [Federico] Ablan [Sr.] abstained.
Ros Lim says that the vote would have been at least 65% favorable if Delegate Ciceron Calderon had not announced at the middle of the voting that I had refused to attend the opening ceremonies even if the resolution were approved.
Delegate Calderon now claims he made the announcement because he wanted to prepare the graceful exit of the motion as it seemed to be losing. He was prevailed upon to leave the hall so as not to influence the voting.[4]
______ of the congressmen.
He [Carlos P. Garca] is growing weak and senile. No orders have been issued by me. But he is less popular than [Diosdado] Macapagal.
Met the inaugural committee again at 3:30 PM (after my speech at Maharlika Hall on the Fourth Graduation Exercises of the Provincial Electrical Cooperative Team) and formally accepted the invitation to speak at the CC [Constitutional Convention] opening ceremonies.
Then held my regular press conference at 4:30 PM.
10:50 PM May 30, 1971[5]
Sunday
Finished my speeches on Memorial Day tomorrow at the American Battle Monuments and Tuesday at the opening ceremonies of the Constitutional Convention.
Met the Speaker on the complaint of ex-Pres. [Carlos] Garcia and asked that the Speaker see old man Garcia on his candidacy for the presidency of the Convention.
The radicals in a meeting at UP [University of the Philippines] Diliman have decided to mount a continuing demonstration to denounce the convention as a tool of vested interests and of U.S. imperialism. They will parade with 300 coffins on opening day—denoting the death of their hopes in the 300 (actually 320) delegates.
But we do not expect any violence.
Talked to Bongbong by telephone. The girls are in Paris. They have been there since Friday and will return to London on Tuesday.
Played 5 holes of golf this afternoon.
When the voting on the motion to invite me to the Cons. Con. was going on, Chino [Joaquin] Roces, publisher of the Manila Times was bragging at the MOPC [Manila Overseas Press Club] that “I would lose in the count.”
But when the voting ended up 117-101 the charge was that I control the convention—even picked the favorite number 17 and 1 and kept the edge of balloting close so us to avoid a charge that we control the convention completely.
What an unbelievable force Chino is putting on.
11:30 PM May 31, 1971[6]
There is a typhoon over the Philippines and it is raining. The demonstrators supposed to march from Mendiola have been scattered by the inclement weather. But as of 9:00 PM some twenty picketers were able to enter the Manila Hotel and take over the seats of the delegates at the Convention Hall.
The demonstrators have planned some violence and some disturbances. But my assessment is that the Constitutional Convention opening ceremonies will be undisturbed.
This morning, I told Don Manolo Elizalde that if necessary we would take over The Evening News and I warned him that the alternative is the use of extraordinary powers to counteract the efforts of communists to subvert the government.
Then worked on the Project Development office in the PES [Presidential Economic Staff] to study the various investment projects of the government and the private sector and push them along.
Then met the Sulu delegates with Cong. [Indanan] Anni.
Attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the U.S. Battle Monuments at Fort Bonifacio at 4:30 PM. We got soaked in the rain but it was well attended just the same.
Practiced golf at the driving range with the boys.
Then met the congressmen to decide on whom to support for President of the Constitutional Convention. Most if not all are for ex-Pres. [Carlos] Garcia but they left it up to me. We decide tomorrow. Tonight I sent the congressmen to tie down Garcia to a promise to follow our party stand on the constitution: synchronization of elections, unicameral system or a parliamentary form of government, etc.
Imelda made a triumphant visit to Bulacan where her mother’s relatives are. She visited San Rafael and Baliuag. The old and huge houses are her relatives.
She carne back feeling exhilarated by the trip as the people came out to greet her five deep on the streets even if her visit was kept secret. They called her, “Presidenta.”
[1] The first page of this entry is missing.
[2] Official Gazette for May 28, 1971: P resident Marcos conferred the Golden Heart Presidential Award on Dr. Clark Bloom, resident representative in the Philippines of the Ford Foundation. The President presented the award in recognition of Dr. Bloom’s, distinguished service to the Philippines and the Filipino people, particularly in strengthening Philippine institutions relating to development in essential areas like agriculture and education. Present at the conferment ceremony were Mrs. Bloom, Dr. Arthur Hill, Dr. David Szanton and Silvestre Sarmiento. In the afternoon, the President was honored with a parade and review by the Presidential Guard Battalion in a ceremony held at Malacañang Park, commemorating the 33rd anniversary of its founding. Addressing the officers and men of the organization, the President pointed out that the “unsettled character of our times pose dangers to our democracy.” This present crisis, the President stated, would require those in the military and those in the government, to exercise the “ability to keep events from getting ahead of us and to keep the ship of state from sinking in the eye of the typhoon.” The President stressed the difficulty of the task, saying that government response, if it is to be truly reflective of democracy, must never “trample on the bedrock of freedom—civil liberties.” He continued: “Our response must be tempered with caution even in dealing with those who are sworn to bring down the government.” The President was introduced by Brig. Gen. Fabian C. Ver, PGB commander. Present at the rites were Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce ‘v Enrile, Undersecretary Jose F. Crisol, AFP Chief of Staff General Manuel Yan, heads of the major services of the armed forces, families and friends of the members of the PGB.
[3] Official Gazette for May 29, 1971: P resident Marcos told some 64 graduates of the seminar on provincial electric cooperatives that they are responsible for the success of one of the most important programs of government. Composed of representatives from the Presidential Arm on Community Development, Cooperatives Administration Office, local government, teachers and civic groups, the trainees had just completed a 10-day intensive training, preparatory to being divided into five-man teams to be called Provincial Electric Cooperatives Teams and sent to the barrio^ and towns, some to gather data for feasibility studies and others to organize or set the proper atmosphere for the organization of cooperative as a new approach to the problem of electricity. “Thus,” the President told them, “you will bring light where there is darkness, progress where there is stagnation, knowledge where there is ignorance, abundance where there is scarcity, and health where there is disease.” The President also took occasion to express his gratitude to the United States Government through Director Thomas Niblock of the local U.S. Agency for International Development for the various assistance given by that and other U.S. agencies to the Philippines. Later in the afternoon, the President sent the following letter to the delegates to the Constitutional Convention: The Delegates 1971 Constitutional Convention Through the Inaugural Committee Chairman Dr. Cicero D. Calderon Manila Gentlemen of the Convention: In answer to a letter of your inauguration committee, I have the pleasure to accept your invitation, which I understand has been supported by a Resolution inviting me to speak. It is my hope that this will lay the foundation for unity among our people, who are praying for the success of the Constitutional Convention. Very truly yours (Sdg.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines
[4] The third page of this entry is missing.
[5] Official Gazette for May 30, 1971: P resident Marcos directed RCA Chairman-General Manager Jose D. Drilon, Jr. to effect a complete revamp of the agency with the view to making it a more effective and respected arm of the government. The President gave the order after Drilon reported that syndicates which had been responsible for shortages in RCA stocks have virtually been busted with the filing of administrative charges and suspension of five RCA regional managers, three branch and agency managers, nine finance officers, nine provincial inspectors and 44 warehousemen. The President commended Undersecretary Drilon for cleaning up the RCA, the agency charged with stabilizing the supply of the staple food of the people. In the afternoon, the President proclaimed June 1, Tuesday, a special public holiday. In proclaiming the opening, of the Constitutional Convention a special holiday, the President said that “the people should be given the opportunity to ponder upon the importance of the historic undertaking and to think out and propose to their respective delegates much-needed reforms in the social, economic and political structure.” The day marks the opening of the 1971 Constitutional Convention. The President also designated Leticia Perez de Guzman, a vice president for administration of the Philippine Women’s University, as member of the National Manpower and Youth Council, to represent Family Organizations.
[6] Official Gazette for May 31, 1971: P resident Marcos paid tribute to the war dead, urging the people to carry on with the ideals for which they had fought and died. At the Memorial Day services held at the Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio in the afternoon, the President urged his hearers to “keep our promises to the men who had believed with us but are not here to share our burdens.” The President decried that the peace the war heroes had looked forward to “remains fragile and fragmented, with the evils and malignancies they had sought to cleanse away with their blood still haunting the world, enslaving or wounding men, if not their flesh, their spirit; if not their minds, their hopes of a brighter day.” Refusing to concede that all that these heroes had died for had been nothing, the President stated that “perhaps the world is what it is today, wracked by suspicion and prejudice, by hostile conspiracies and mindless violence; moved by greed and lust for power; because the idea of human brotherhood and common dignity has not yet reached its time.” The President exhorted the people to “overcome the dissensions and the jealousies dividing the human family,” to “dominate the tigers that ceaselessly strive to break loose within us and thus make us one of the same pack of predators stalking the weak and the helpless.” He continued: “Let us strive so that we too could live as emblems of conduct, in the way they fought and died.” Present at the solemn rites were members ;of the diplomatic corps, representatives of 36 participating veterans organizations, ranking American and Filipino military officials and families of the war dead. Military honors were accorded the President by a company of Philippine Army men upon his arrival at the cemetery gate at exactly 4:00 p.m. The President was welcomed at the steps of the cemetery by U.S. Ambassador Henry Byroade; John F. McLaughlin, master of ceremonies; Dr. Charles Mosebrook, minister of United Methodist Church; (Lt. Cmdr.) James Clark, catholic chaplain; and (Lt. Cmdr.) Richard Smithy protestant chaplain. Then the President laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by Ambassador Byroade. Some 20 special guests and representatives of veterans, civic and military organizations also jointly made floral offerings. As part of the observance, the United States and Philippine flags were lowered at half-mast the whole day. Capping the ceremonies were memorial day prayers delivered by both the Catholic and Protestant chaplains. Earlier in the morning the President directed the chief of the Philippine Navy to take “strong punitive action” against a PN officer allegedly involved in a gunrunning attempt in Saigon, Vietnam. At the same time, the President ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to explore with the local Vietnamese embassy by means of regulating the entry into Vietnam of Filipino job-seekers without appropriate working visas. The President issued the twin directives through Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. following receipt of reports of unsavory incidents involving Filipinos in South Vietnam. The Chief Executive asked both the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the PN chief to submit their respective reports on the action taken by them on these cases.