Imelda is going to Moscow, Spain and London.
London to visit the children. We have some problems with Imee who insists on an acting career apparently. Her mother has a dim view of her insistence to accept the offer of the lead role in “The Diary of Anne Frank” to be presented by Repertoire [Repertory] Philippines at the Cultural Center.
Then she attends the wedding of Alfonso de Bourbon to Carmencita Franco Villaverde, the grand-daughter of Generalissimo Franco of Spain.
After which she accepts the invitation of the Russian government to visit Moscow and see the Bolshoi Ballet.
Actually this will mean the beginning of the dialogue for diplomatic relations with
Russia. It will be (the visit of lmelda) another diplomatic coup.
Have been looking into the possible purchase of a twin-engine Bell 212 helicopter.
I place the papers in Envelope XVI-D.
The Conde de Bustillos, his wife and a Mexican lady who was actually operated on by [Antonio] Agpaoa with his bare hands thirteen times (in the right eye, behind the left ear and in the diaphragm, etc.) swear that they have seen this “miracle” with their own eyes. And many foreigners now go to Baguio to witness this phenomenon.
And they believe in it.
We must look into this deeper.
Worked on the problems of investment, the Free Trade Zone, highways, Mindanao development, organization of cooperatives etc.
I asked the Board of Pardons and Parole to recommend a two month reprieve for the Aquino, Pineda, Jayme [sic] Jose gang that kidnapped and raped Maggie de la Riva and who are set to be electrocuted Mar. 17th just before Holy Week[1].
Japan is in the throes of rearming. I attach reports of Amb. [Roberto] Bobby Benedicto.
12:45 AM March 2, 1972[2]
[1] Jaime Jose y Gomez, Basilio Pineda, Jr. alias “Boy,” Edgardo Aquino y Payumo , and Rogelio Cañal y Sevilla were convicted for the abduction and rape of actress Maggie de la Riva in June 1967. Gomez, Pineda, and Aquino were executed by electric chair o n May 17, 1972. Sevilla escaped the fate of his companions having died of a drug overdose a year earlier. Crime detailed in Supreme Court Decision G.R. No. L-28232 February 6, 1971 , execution in Manila times May 18, 1972.
[2] Official Gazette for March 2, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS as usual started the day going over state papers needing his urgent attention. He later disengaged from his desk to attend to his morning callers. Those who called on the President were Mr. and Mrs. Basilio Pineda and Mrs. Consolation Aquino, parents of the condemned rapists of movie actress Maggie de la Riva. The Chief Executive granted a two-month reprieve to the condemned prisoners. The President said that the reprieve will give the Department of Justice time to review and study all other cases against the doomed men which are pending before the Supreme Court. In the afternoon the President resumed working on his desk. He issued an administrative order revoking the authority granted to the Maharlika Insurance Co., Inc. to become a surety upon cognizances, stipulations, bonds and undertakings. The revocation recommended by Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata was based on a certification from the sheriff of Manila that as of October 31, 1971, the insurance company was indebted to the government in the total amount of ₱788,656 on writs of execution for confiscated and forfeited bail bonds in various criminal cases. Late in the afternoon, the President administered the oath of office to Roger Tiglao as representative for the second district of Pampanga. The new congressman, who won by 15 votes over Cornelio Sanga, had lodged a poll protest which was decided only last week. He was earlier proclaimed winner by the Commission on Elections.