Saturday
The Philippines is a small frog in the big lake croaking to the tune of the big frogs.
This we have been repeatedly reminded of in the Monetary Crisis decided upon by the Big Ten, then in the decisions of the UNCTAD [United Nations Conference on Trade and Development], the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, the military agreements etc.
And yet government leaders must act as if our destiny is completely within our control. To a certain extent, though, it is—within the context of the world power decisions.
We must keep open our options and alternatives and use them to our advantage.
This should be the burden of the State of the Nation Address.
I have talked to Gov. Gregorio Licaros to prepare this study. We spent the morning before lunch on this.
PAL’s [Philippine Airlines] holding company, Rubicon owned by [Benigno] Benny Toda [Jr.] is being foreclosed by Caltex and FNCB, the former being guarantor for the $7 million of which $3 million is delinquent. Mr. Wollahan [John Wolahan] of Caltex says Caltex does not want to take over PAL which is supposed to be a flag carrier and would rather have a private group of Pilipino capitalists take over.
I have asked [Roberto] Bobby Benedicto and [Geronimo] Ronnie Velasco who saw me this morning to look into this as the government does not want any stoppage of PAL flights.
And PAL is farther indebted to CALTEX for about P21 million of gas and fuel.
Sen. [Jose] Roy came to say Sen. Pres. Gil Puyat is working to run for President in 1973 and therefore should not be allowed to become Senate President nor Party President.
I am meeting the Nacionalista congressmen and governors on the 11th.
The Free Trade Zone must be developed as soon as possible. So I met with Joe Roxas and Pablo Roman on Bataan.
Talked to Bongbong on laziness and his lack of dedication to his schoolwork which his tutors have observed. I emphasized that he may be talented but hard work makes the difference between success and failure in life. He has to leave on the l0th.
Asked Mr. Emilio Yap, owner and President of the Philippine President lines and part owner of Bulletin and Liwayway Publications to agree with Hans Menzi for their transfer of control of Liwayway upon payment of the bank loan of P1.9 million. He has agreed.
Justice Antonio Barredo and Sol. Gen. Felix Antonio on the need to clarify the announcement to lift the suspension of the privilege of the writ. Justice Barredo feels that I should now issue a proclamation lifting the suspension with the effectivity upon Judge [Vicente] Ericta deciding the matter of the warrants of arrest for the detainees. But Judge Ericta has said he would decide the matter in a few days.
I enclose reports on this.[1]
11:55 PM January 9, 1972[2]
Sunday
Am at the palace while the children are giving a party at the lounge on board the 777 with the mothers supervising from the sidelines.
This has been a series of parties to introduce the children to their contemporaries in Manila. I am sure that the children have enjoyed their holidays.
But the report cards of Bongbong came in yesterday and I had to scold him for being reported as being lazy by his tutor and not at all working hard, although talented.
Imee insists on going to Harvard where there may be too much freedom. She finds Mayfield is devoted merely to passing O level exams and getting good grades—not good education. Or so she says.
So we spent the whole afternoon after lunch in a bull session (before I left for the MBC [Manila Broadcasting Company] Channel 11 inauguration at 5:00 PM) wherein Imee cried again that we do not understand her in her wish to go to Oxford. Irene cried quietly with her.
I had to explain that I am concerned because my children are showing the instability that I have discovered is one of the main flaws in the character of the Marcoses—including me. I had to tell them of my own experience—in athletics, in college at Prelaw and in the war. And the story of their great uncle, Antonio Marcos, who had better grades than Jose Rizal (he had the best grades ever obtained in Ateneo) and he was top in everything he went into seriously but he had to concentrate on it. Yet when he left scholarship for politics, he was a complete flop.
So all I asked was that each one learns to concentrate. “And,” I said, “I have a feeling that you are all turning into rolling stones. You have no roots.”
“You, Imee, said you were discontented with Assumption College. You wanted to go to Leyte. You have become impulsive. You are never satisfied.’”
“But is that not necessary for progress?” she asked in argument. The girl is logical and sharp, whatever her deficiencies.[3]
[1] These reports not found.
[2] Official Gazette for January 9, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS devoted most of his time in the morning and early afternoon going over state papers. Later in the afternoon he was guest of honor and speaker at the inauguration of the Metropolitan Broadcasting Company’s Channel 11 studios in Quezon City. In his remarks, the President underscored the identical objectives of media and government, pointing out that these are “compossible” and not “conflicting,” as they both seek the people’s well-being and the national welfare. (For full text of the President’s speech see pp. 390-394). The President was accompanied by the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, who officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
[3] The last page of this entry Jan 9 and the first page of Jan 10 [pp 969-970] are missing. In the PCGG transcription there is no notation of these missing pages, furthermore transcriber left out three lines of handwritten text at the top page of p. 971.