But it is still the media that is the principal cause of disunity.
We may be able to overcome the communists and the criminals, clean up government and develop the country, but the media will continue to stir up turmoil in order to survive and for them to sell either newspapers or TV time.
And there is only one way to stop the media. While the violence seems to have died down, the communists like white ants are slowly eating up the structure of our Republic.
11:45 PM February 22, 1972[1]
Tuesday
Left for the Sugar Planters Convention at 8:00 AM by plane for Bacolod.
Met the mayors at Gov. [Alfredo] Montelibano’s [Jr.] house and attended the convention at 11:30 AM.
Spoke on why we must support sugar. It is one of the principal producers of dollars for our industrialization.
“But you must stand up and fight for your industry. Do not cover in shame or apology. For your industry helps the country and the Filipino people.
“Do not wait for the President to defend you and your industry. Come out openly on your behalf.
If the sugar industry collapses, then since our industrialization depends on our exports, industrialization will lag, unemployment will worsen, prices of other commodities which are imported in processed form or in raw materials will rise, we cannot attain our objective of a balanced agro-industrial economy.
Slept on the plane on the way back from 1:45 to 3:00 PM. Was at [Bahay] Pangarap at about 3:30 with Imelda and the girls. Played golf at 4:20-6:25 PM including the usual exercises: 102 sit ups, 50 deep knee bends (squatting) biceps-triceps tension, pectoral tension, shoulder arm—200 times.
11:45 PM February 23, 1972[2]
Wednesday
Worked on:
MIA [Manila International Airport]
Road maintenance
I attach my orders.
Met the cultural minorities leaders on the development of their areas and the choice of the CNI [Commission on National Integration] Commissioner and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah).
Bitter recriminations between Cong. [Mohammad] Ali Dimaporo and Sen. Mamintal Tamano on the alleged disloyalty of Tamano and his recommendee, Ex-Vice Gov. Kasan Marohambsar for Commissioner of CNI for campaigning for Princess Tarhata Alonto Lucman, the Liberal candidate.
Looks like the First National City Bank of New York will foreclose on [Benigno] Benny Toda’s [Jr.] Rubicon indebtedness of about $7 million he had used in 1964 to purchase control of the PAL [Philippine Airlines]—about 72% of PAL shares. A group headed by Geronimo Velasco Pres. of Dole Phil. and Republic Glass as well as Ting [Sixto] Roxas of Bancom are ready to take over.
Office of the President of the Philippines
[1] Official Gazette for February 22, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS enplaned for Bacolod City in the morning to address the delegates to the 19th annual convention of the National Federation of Sugar Planters. Accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, the President arrived in Bacolod about 9:30 a.m. After receiving full military honors upon arrival at the Bacolod airport the First Couple motored to the residence of Gov. Alfredo Montelibano, Jr. where the President conferred with provincial and municipal officials. The President was gratified to learn that aside from a few cases of piracy in remote coastal towns, the peace and order in the province was generally satisfactory. Among the requests received by the President from local officials were those for assistance by the national government in the repair of broken down roads and bridges, dredging facilities and the construction of sea-walls to protect the inhabitants of certain coastal communities from floods. At 11:30 a.m., the President and the First Lady proceeded to the convention site where they were met with a prolonged, standing ovation as they entered the hall. The President hailed the sugar industry on which, he said, “the livelihood of three million Filipinos depends and upon whose health and vigor the nation’s economic development depends so much.” The Chief Executive urged the sugar industry leaders to defend the industry against “libelous indictments” by its critics. He declared: “As long as I am President, the government will continue to protect the industry and be allowed to participate in the stabilization of the economy.” The First Couple returned to Manila immediately after partaking of lunch with the convention delegates.
[2] Official Gazette for February 23, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS as usual started the day going over state papers. From time to time he broke off from desk work to receive some unscheduled callers who consulted him on various problems. At mid-morning, the President conferred with leaders of the cultural minorities to push through plans for the development and maintenance of peace and order in their respective regions. They discussed the various problems requiring his immediate attention, such as transportation and communications, peace and order, health and economic development affecting the cultural minority groups. During the conference the President announced the plan to reorganize both the Mindanao Development Authority and the Mountain Province Development Authority. The conference was attended by National Integration Commissioner Mama Sinsuat, Senator Mamintal Tamano, Reps. Felipe Almazan of Kalinga-Apayao, Andres Cosalan of Benguet, Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Macacuna Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur. Constantino Navarro of Surigao del Norte, Jose Puyat, Jr. of Surigao del Sur, and James Chiongbian of South Cotabato; Governors Gualberto Lumauig of Ifugao, Jaime Gomez of Mt. Province, Sergio Morales of South Cotabato and Murphy Sangkula of Sulu; Vice Governors Kasan Marohombsar of Lanao del Sur, Judge Mama D. Busran of the Court of First Instance of Cotabato, Fiscal J. Rasul and Mayor Palawan Disumimba of Tamparan, Lanao del Norte. The President resumed his paper work in the afternoon and evening.