Just arrived from Vincent Recto’s house where we had dinner. We brought Max Goldberger, [Antonio] Tony Raquiza and Alex Rothchild with us. After dinner at 9:00 PM, we had a heavily intellectual discussion on everything specially the natural science-social science gap, pollution, the ecological balance, history, theology etc. Imelda enjoyed it.
Max Goldberger is the physicist (a specialist on power conversion and who produced the hydrazine which can be converted directly into electricity, has worked on the Apollo project and produced the prototype of the original mono-propellant rocket for Israel).
I have asked him to come to stay in the Philippines as he is married to an Ilocana niece of Tony Raquiza and to transfer his laboratory here. He has agreed to.
He will convert the F-86 jet fighters which can go Mach .9 to Mach 1.4 on addition of one more engine—as designed by North American Aircraft and worked out by them—the first prototype to be made here in the Philippines.
He, also, will provide hydrazine powered electric source for relay stations of TV and communications stations.
As well as windmill powered electric generators of such sophistication that they will run without repair and fuel for 30 years.
But the most important project is his setting up a laboratory and testing ground for rockets. He brings his original components from Israel and the U.S.
We have set aside a warehouse in Sangley Pt. for his lab and Corregidor for the bunkers for testing.
We may buy some Gabriel missiles, then make some completely Philippine made.
I intend to put in money on the research and science experiments of a science community I am going to set up.
Played golf from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM [sic] at the Camp John Hay golf course. The rain yesterday last night did the course good.
Imelda met us on the 8th and 9th holes. Good natured ribbing. I suddenly recovered my mood shots. Missed a birdie on the 9th on two meter downhill putt.
Slept up to 5:00 from 3:20 PM. Then went to pick up Imelda at Joe Campos’ house. And talked with Max Goldberger 7:00-8:00 PM and mayor-elect [Antonio] Feraren of San Fernando, La Union, Gov. [Juvenal] Guerrero and Cong. Joe [Jose] Aspiras on the conversion of San Fernando-Bauang into a tourist spot by first bringing about peace and order in the towns by choosing good policemen, then encouraging investment like the AG&P prefabricated bridges and piers.
12:30 PM December 29, 1971[1]
Wednesday
Tonight we attended the Open House of U.S. Ambassador and Mrs. Henry Byroade at the Embassy Residence in Baguio—at 8:00 PM up to 9:30 PM.
I then met the Baguio City officials. Then the Board of Investments which is here on a regional conference with businessmen. The regional conference will also be conducted by the other office—PES [Presidential Economic Staff], NEC [National Economic Council], PACD [Presidential Assistant on Community Development] etc.
We are receiving the 65 ft. patrol boats beginning January 15th. I asked for at least six.
Baguio lacks water badly. On our first day (Dec. 26th) I had to have water brought up by pails to the 2nd floor bathroom for my bath. So I have ordered the release of P1.5 million for the Baguio waterworks.
I had vertigo when I bent my head down to putt. Missed several putts that way. I started jogging and the circulation of blood seemed to dissipate the feeling. Must be congestion of the ear canal and balancing apparatus.
Played golf the 3rd consecutive time in Camp John Hay. Gov. Ben Palispis and I paired off against the two best scores of Ricky Cu-Unjieng, Pepe Oledan and Mundy Felicianco.
The People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party newspaper, carried a report Dec. 27, 1971 on “the excellent revolutionary solution” in the Philippines.
I attach the report of Sec. [Carlos] Romulo on this.
11:00 PM December 30, 1971[2]
Thursday
It has been raining intermittently since yesterday. The planes could not land this morning at Loakan airport (except for the PNB [Philippine National Bank] plane piloted by Capt. Gamboa) and on my instruction they did not force a landing but proceeded to San Fernando to land. Ricky Cu-Unjieng, the Cojuangcos and Felicianos went to Poro Pt. by car and took one of the Fokkers back to Manila taking off at 12:10 AM.
We slept the whole morning instead as we had slept only four hours last night between the children and Imelda coming to bed late.
I had to cancel my 7:00 AM flight to Laoag where I was supposed to land, then induct the new local officials to office. It has been delayed to tomorrow.
Air Force predicts better flying weather tomorrow.
My vertigo is still with me. Apparently cold that has caused congestion of the inner ear tube affecting my balancing. I have taken Bonamine for it tonight.
The Manila papers are making much of the supposed orders to certain Foreign Missions abroad bypassing the Sec. of Foreign Affairs to study the instances of the proclamation of martial law.
The whole thing is false and silly as I have not even thought of issuing such an order for such a study to anyone.
[Juan] Johnny Ponce Enrile and I have been the only ones studying the possible legal requirements for a proclamation of martial law if the need arises. This is a part of the old contingency plan.
I attach the message of Sec. [Francisco] Tatad on this.
Vice Pres. [Fernando] Lopez, tonight at the cocktail given by Delegate Sotero Laurel at his house, did a most stupid and petty thing. He confronted Gov. Benjamin Romualdez for his having allegedly stuck his tongue out at the VP behind the latter’s back when he visited the Mansion about a year ago. The VP said this had been reported by his aide-decamp. And the VP demonstrated it by sticking his tongue out.
He must be irritable and short-tempered from lack of power, influence and money.
But Cocoy Romuldez was gracious, mature and polished in handling the situation. The crowd was predominantly oppositionist and hostile.
So Cocoy merely answered that he has not done such a childish act nor does he intend to but that he did not wish to agree with the VP’s aide-de-camp. However, whether he did it or not, he was apologizing to the VP for his peace of mind.
That if the VP had done such a horrendous act like killing his (Cocoy’s) four children, he (Cocoy) would probably shoot or kill the VP but not stick his tongue out at him.
He practically called the VP a childish and stupid man. But the VP probably did not have the intelligence to realize what was said to him.
Cocoy says, however, that the political opposition would not let us rest but would harass and persecute us if we ever lost political power.
This reminds me of the report of the Lighthouse luncheon of [Eugenio] Iñing Lopez [Sr.] with Sen. Gerry [Gerardo] Roxas, Chino [Joaquin] Roces, Nap [Napoleon] Rama [Sr.] etc. when Iñing Lopez, the VP’s brother said that after 1973 I should not be allowed to go scot free but should be prosecuted and presumably punished by imprisonment or worse.
The political opposition is getting vindictive and overly-sensitive and tense.
These are the dangerous men. Small boys with power.
Not only for our own good but for the good of the country, they must never be entrusted with power.
8:00 PM December 31, 1971[3]
Friday
I have just announced that the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is lifted over the entire Philippines effective on the date of the resolution of the question of the warrant of arrest against the accused including detainees in the subversion case pending before Judge Vicente Ericta of the Q.C. [Quezon City] Ct. of F.I. [Court of First Instance].
Came from Laoag from Baguio where I took off after PMA [Philippine Military Academy] departure honors. Took off in the clouds at 8:15 AM. Arrived in Laoag after a slightly rough trip at 8:50. Finished the Te Deum and Swearing In ceremonies at Laoag of the provincial and municipal officials at 11:00 AM. Was at Batac 11:30. Te Deum and reenactment of the swearing in ceremonies at 12:00. Lunch up to 12:15. Then back to Gabu. Took off at 12:40 PM. Arrived at NAB at 2:05 PM. Slightly rough near Manila.
Now I go to the New Year’s Dinners at the Ceremonial Hall.
Office of the President of the Philippines
I did not send this—
December31, 1971
Dear Hans,
I could not help writing you on the Bulletin. It has graduated to the yellow journalism of the Manila Times.
It concocts (and I use the word advisedly) a supposed order from me to some fictitious Foreign Affairs post or officer to study the alleged status of martial law. It builds up the story without bothering to ask me what the truth was—and even after the press secretary had denied it vehemently as a fabrication.
Then it quotes my political enemies thus farther trying to color their original false story with truth.
Ignorance can be forgiven but not falsification.
May you be happy in your new role.
F. E. Marcos [Signed]
[1] Official Gazette for December 29, 1971: STILL in Baguio City where he is spending the holidays, President. Marcos, during an interview with newsmen covering him, promised that after the New Year, there will be “surprising revelations” on the August 21 Plaza Miranda bombing incident, even as he assured that the government will be able to solve the crime. During that interview at the Mansion House, the President also: indicated that he had no intention of restoring the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus within the foreseeable future in areas, including the Greater Manila, where it remained suspended; Revealed the extent of Communist infiltration in government, including some offices in Malacañang; and Disclosed an alleged tie-up between the Communists and some underworld characters in the recent commission of some crimes within the Greater Manila area. Also from the Pines City, the President issued the following message on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal: “It is the essential activism of Dr. Jose Rizal that specially comes to mind today as we commemorate the 75th year of his martyrdom. “He was a man rare in his and in our time; yet even in this exemplary life, there is much that links him to everyone of his countrymen who seeks to address his talents and energies to the service of our country. “Rizal’s activism sprung from the same abiding compassion that animates many of us today, and it realized for us the greatest good in ways that continue to serve us to this day. “We can make no more fitting tribute to the man than that three quarters of a century after his death today, his vision and his example continue to attend our efforts in meeting the challenges of our time.”
[2] Official Gazette for December 30, 1971: THE PRESIDENT tarried in Baguio City. He put off his plan to return to Manila, and summoned the provincial officials of Ilocos Norte led by Governor Elizabeth Marcos-Keon, for a functional meeting, to discuss the problems and economic development needs of the province. At a meeting with Manila newsmen covering him, the President reviewed the administration performance during the past year, and predicted that the coming new year would be a “year of bitter debate on fundamental problems, and also of critical decisions. He cited the work being undertaken by the Constitutional Convention which would soon be up for debate among the populace; and the rapidly changing political situations in the whole world particularly in the Southeast Asia, and the move toward the neutralization of the region.
[3] Official Gazette for December 31, 1971: AS THE YEAR comes to end, President Marcos flew early in the morning from Baguio City to Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, his home province, for the traditional reunion with relatives and friends. Accompanied by Leyte Gov. Benjamin Romualdez, the President enplaned at 8:15 after reviewing an honor guard composed of Philippine Military Academy cadets. He was seen off by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos and Baguio City officials led by Mayor Luis Lardizabal. She later boarded another plane direct to Manila. Half an hour later at the Laoag airport, the President was met by delegations from different towns of Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces. The welcomers were headed by Mrs. Josefa Edralin-Marcos, the President’s mother, Gov. Elizabeth Marcos-Keon, Reps. Roque Ablan, Jr. and Simeon Valdez. From the airport, the President led a long motorcade to the city church where a Te Deum was sung. Then he inducted the newly-elected and reelected officials of the province, city and municipalities of Ilocos Norte. In brief remarks following the induction ceremony, the President pleaded for national unity which, he said, is the only means of saving the country from its enemies. “Only a united nation can find sufficient strength to defend itself against its enemies,” he declared. The President then motored to Batac, his hometown, where he had a brief reunion with kin and friends. He then returned to Laoag where he enplaned back to Manila, arriving in Malacañang at 2:30 p.m. The President took a short respite, before he buckled down to work. Among others, he granted executive clemency to 192 convicted persons, upon recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole, in connection with the observance of New Year. Of the prisoners granted clemency, eight were for absolute pardon, two conditional pardon, 155 conditional pardon with parole condition, and 27 commutation of sentence. Later in the day, the President announced the lifting of the suspension of the writ of the privilege of habeas corpus in the entire country, to take effect upon the resolution by Judge Vicente Ericta of the Quezon City Court of First Instance of the subversion cases. The President also issued the following New Year message: “At the end of 1971 and the beginning of the new year, we see our nation enriched by experience and ready to move on towards the challenges of the future. “We see our people committed to a new policy of dynamic change, all seeking to articulate their individual aspirations and all seeking to find their own individual places in the collective national endeavor. “Throughout the past year, we saw ignorance, apathy and indifference being fought, renounced and condemned in all levels of our society, in favor of involvement, commitment and activism. “In that period of great awakening, we witnessed the unleashing of energy from the various sectors of our community, in the free and militant discussion of ideas and issues that govern the conduct of our national life. “Indeed, we have seen during the year just past, where our strength and our weaknesses lie, we have shown to ourselves how from a multitude of tongues and voices, we can distill the voice of reason to rule our collective life. “As we enter the new year, it is my hope that the same vigor and enthusiasm, involvement and reason will continue to dominate the forums of free speech and the councils of our democratic institutions so that we may continue to pursue with increased faith, the efforts we have begun. “Our government is determined that during the year 1972 security and development shall remain the twin primary objectives to which shall relate all our positive efforts. “We are determined that the fears and shadows of the past shall not weaken our course, but rather that new faith, greater vision and a new sense of purpose shall govern it. “In cooperation with the various sectors of our society, we shall continue to seek a better life for all our people, but in so doing, we shall ask our people to give us their abiding faith, their unstinted support and cooperation. “We have much to achieve and work for during the new year. Let us not expect that government will achieve this in isolation, but rather, let us expect government to achieve it with the good wishes and the support of all. “A Happy New Year to All”