December 9, 1972

[1] Official Gazette for December 10, 1972: POLICY DECISIONS and measures taken by President Marcos since the declaration of Martial Law were made to bring about dramatic changes in economics and investments, and peace and order. Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, before the American Chamber of Commerce, said the task of bringing reforms in all facets of society is a tremendous one and the skepticism of many that it is next to impossible to attain was gradually dispelled. He said the government is gearing itself to a quickened pace of development by attending first to the prerequisites in attaining the necessary climate. The role being played by the defense establishment is to check the floodgates of anarchy, worsening criminality, insurgency and communist depradation, all of which threaten to engulf the country, the defense secretary said. IMPORTATION OF philosophical, historical, economic, scientific, technical and vocational books may be allowed free of customs duties, subject to certain conditions, namely: 1) that their importations are approved by the Department of Education, 2) that they are specially imported for the bona fide use and by order of any society or institution incorporated solely for philosophical, educational, historical, economic, scientific or educational purposes, or for the encouragement of sciences and fine arts, 3) that their quantities do not exceed 10 copies of any work when imported by an institution and two copies of any one work when imported by an individual, and 4) that they are not for barter, sale or hire. IN A FRONTAL assault on a problem of rehabilitation of young offenders and transforming them into productive members of society, the National Manpower and Youth Council and the Bureau of Prisons have signed an agreement to train youthful prisoners in useful skills that will enable them to go back and resume normal life as law abiding citizens. “ This event is significant in that an honest-to-goodness effort is being made toward the welfare of young prisoners, and for the first time here, agencies of the government are cooperating with each other in pursuing a common goal, ” Brig. Gen. Vicente Raval, acting prisons director said, at ceremonies launching the training program. THERE IS NO prohibition to the active participation of government officials and employes in the campaign for the ratification of the new Constitution. This was f.he legal opinion of Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos. Because of this opinion, Public Information Secretary Francisco S. Tatad has asked all civil service employes and officials to actively participate in the campaign to bring about intelligent discussion on the merits of the proposed Constitution. ” PRESIDENT MARCOS emphasized the importance of sports because “ we believe that physical fitness and discipline that they develop are necessary for national development. ” The President ’ s remarks were read ,by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. at the opening ceremonies of the Second Asian Basketball Confederation ’ s Youth Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. “ Sports in the Philippines, especially at this time, have a special significance. We cultivate them not only for their own sake but also for the sake of the discipline they inculcate, ” the President said. The President welcomed into the country, the different delegations of the participating nations, namely, China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India. The Philippines is the defending champion in this regional sportsfest.

[2] Official Gazette for December 11, 1972: THOUSANDS OF people from all walks of life all over the country attended weekend Thanksgiving Masses for the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, following her discharge from the hospital where she had been treated of arm wounds inflicted by a bolo-wielding assassin several days before. The nationwide masses were organized by the Radio Mindanao Network and Inter-island Broadcasting Corp. over its network of radio-TV stations throughout the country. The masses were relayed to Northern Luzon through Channel 6 in Baguio City. The underlying theme of the thanksgiving masses was a prayer for the safety and complete recovery of the First Lady and for guidance and strength for the President in his efforts to pursue his program of reforms under the New Society. PRESIDENT MARCOS in Letter of Instruction No. 48, ordered the secretary of education, the directors of public schools and private schools, to “ encourage, if not require, discussion of the proposed Constitution in all universities, colleges and other schools at all levels during class periods for current events or other subjects where such discussion would be relevant, especially between now and January 15, 1973. ” The purpose of such discussion should be to enlighten the people on the proposed Charter in order to enable them to vote intelligently on plebiscite day. “ Discussion of the proposed Constitution in classrooms by teachers and students/pupils will greatly enhance our present endeavors to inform and enlighten our people about the basic law, which is very vital to their welfare and our country, ” the President said. NATIONAL NEED to ratify the new Constitution to make permanent the goals and programs of the New Society, was stressed by Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal. In less than three months, the Speaker said, peace and order have returned to the country, the entire country has been declared a land reform area, government has become honest and more efficient, and prices of commodities have become stabilized. “ We must embody the reforms now sweeping our country with the legal framework that shall become the law of the land, ” he said. “ The new Constitution will perpetuate and concretize the spirit of the New Society; it will bestow the New Society with flesh and blood. ” IMMEDIATE ESTABLISHMENT of pilot projects in all regions where tenancy has been generating social unrest was ordered by the President to hasten implementation of the Land Reform Program. The President directed Secretary of Agrarian Reform Conrado F. Estrella to prepare the program for these pilot projects, especially the funding requirements for the administrative units, and the credit needs of the farmers and other support services such as roads and other infrastructures. In the implementation of the program, the President said that the needs of the farmers for home lots should not be overlooked and that appropriate measures should be taken along this line. ALL FILIPINO citizens were urged by President Marcos to participate in the implementation of family planning and responsible parenthood “ to assure greater opportunity for each Filipino to reach his full potential and to attain his individual dignity. ” The President brought across this message in General Order No. 18 which also enjoins all universities, colleges and schools, government offices, mass media, civic and voluntary organizations of all creeds, and business and industrial enterprises to promote the concept of family welfare, responsible parenthood and family planning. The President directed the Department of Education and Culture to inform all schools of medicine, nursing, midwifery, allied medical professions, and social work “ to prepare, plan and implement the integration of family planning in their curricula and to require from their graduates sufficient instruction in family planning as a prerequisite to qualifying for the appropriate licensing examination. PERFORMANCE OF judges of Courts of First Instance, generally, has not been satisfactory, according to Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos who issued an earnest appeal to every CFI judge in the country for renewed dedication to your duties and for total commitment to the goal of the New Society of affording a swift and impartial administration of justice to the needy. ” Mr. Abad Santos- sounded the appeal after receiving the results of a study undertaken by the judiciary division on the performance of CFI judges for a six-month period covering February to July 1972. For the six-month period, CFI judges disposed of an average of 80 cases only or any average of 13 cases for every month ” . TOTAL TOURIST traffic to the Philippines this year increased by 10 percent from 144, 321 in 1971 to an estimated 159,000 in 1972. A survey conducted by the Board of Travel and Tourist Industry in November showed that nearly 99 per cent of foreign visitors have favorable impressions about the Philippines because of the improved peace and order situation. BTTI Commissioner Gregorio Araneta II said this year ’ s increase in traffic is significant considering that conditions have improved less than three months ago. Statistical projections by the BTTI indicate that the country will net a total income of $35 4 million from tourism this year. This represents actual tourist expenses for accommodations, dining ” , entertainment, shopping and other expenditures.

[3] Official Gazette for December 12, 1972: RECENT APPEAL of President Marcos to the electorate to vote on Plebiscite Day has drawn strong support among the rural population. This finding was based on surveys made by branch credit managers of the Agricultural Credit Administration. These branch credit managers are stationed with their men in strategic sections of the country where the cooperative movement in agriculture has taken firm root. To date, there are some 325 farmers cooperatives having an aggregate membership of 150,000. All these organizations could be depended upon to assist the government in the current information drive to familiarize the people with the proposed Charter, the ACA said. AUTHORITY TO sponsor public debates, discussions or meetings to present both sides in connection with the coming plebiscite on the new Constitution, was granted to the Voters Organization for Information and Civic Education (VOICE). Composed of nationwide citizens Groups VOICE had been created by the Comelec to help it conduct a, continuing education of the public “ on election laws, procedures, decisions, and other matters relative -to the work and duties of the commission and the necessity for clean, free, orderly and honest elections. CURFEW HOURS will be observed strictly during Christmas and New Year. In answer to many inquiries received by his office, Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief, said that carolers in the Greater Manila Area and the provinces should secure their permits from the Department of Social Welfare and the Office for Civil Relations in the local PC command or at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Gen. Ramos explained that although carolers have secured permits and clearances, they are not exempt from curfew hours. The PC chief said that carolers should be home before midnight. PRESIDENT MARCOS signed Decree No. 80 extending from December 15 to January 31 the grant of tax amnesty to owners and possessors of untaxed or improperly taxed goods under certain conditions. To assure voluntary compliance, a tax amnesty of across-the-board rate of 25 per cent of the total duties and taxes, due will be imposed. Exempt from this decree are motor vehicles which are already covered by Presidential Decree No. 52; articles subject to specific tax, and those under seizure proceedings and/or pending criminal, civil or administrative cases. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Alejandro Melchor Jr. in Memorandum Order No. 321 created a Political Affairs Office in the Executive Office. This office is under the immediate control and supervision of the Assistant Secretary Flores Bayot for Local Governments. The functions of this office are: 1) assist the President and the Executive Secretary in formulating political policies and decisions; 2) gather, evaluate and analyze political information and/or data that may be necessary in formulating policies and decisions and monitor them to the President and the Executive Secretary; and 3) provide the President with immediate staff assistance to enable him to effectively exercise his power of control over local governments.

[4] Official Gazette for December 13, 1972: FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION of firearm, a Pasay City resident was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at hard labor by a military tribunal. Sentenced was Jaime Co y Fernandez who had been arrested, -by the Manila police in Ermita last October 23 in possession of one unlicensed .22 caliber Beretta pistol. ONE HUNDRED and eighty-nine insurgents and sympathizers affirmed loyalty to the government and vowed to help build the New Society envisioned in the new Charter. The group included four municipal mayors and scores of municipal and barrio officials who have had extensive “ involvement in the insurgency movement in Tarlac. Most of the surrenderors came from the towns of Concepcion and Capas. Four were former Mamao commanders under Dante and Sison, Major Miguel Fontanilla, Tarlac PC commander, arranged the surrender with provincial government authorities. It brought to 5,347 the total number of surrendered insurgents and their sympathizers in the first PC zone since Martial Law was proclaimed. ALL PROVINCIAL election supervisors were directed to help inform the people that despite Martial Law, they are free to hold public discussions and debates or to campaign for or against the approval of the proposed new Constitution. The directive was issued to some 68 provincial election supervisors in the country who were returning to their respective areas of assignment after participating in the three-day seminar in Manila on the mechanics of the plebiscite. The Commission on Elections stressed the importance of: overcoming the “ psychological barrier ” that still appears to prevent many Filipino-citizens and groups from fully participating in the dissemination of information involving the January 15 plebiscite. DISTRIBUTION OF the year-end dividend checks of the Government Service Insurance System amounting to P25 million to its policy-holders started. The dividends being distributed by the GSIS are the second dividend declaration of the system this year. This is also the first time the GSIS will give out dividend payments twice a year. This year ’ s payments are the highest dividend payments of the system since its establishment 35 years ago, and is P12 million more than the P38 million distributed in 1971. This year ’ s increase is also the highest for any single year on record.

[5] Official Gazette for December 14, 1972: BIR COMMISSIONER Misael P. Vera called upon all taxpayers to observe discipline in the declaration and payment of their taxes. At the same time, Mr. Vera reiterated utmost secrecy of returns filed with the BIR in connection with Presidential Decree No. 23 granting tax amnesty on previously untaxed income or wealth. The commissioner stated that all the Presidential decrees on tax reforms issued by the President under the New Society are geared towards improving tax collection and ensuring a steadier and better flow of funds for essential public projects and services. “ The infusion of discipline in every aspect of our life as a people is imperative for national progress and prosperity, ” Mr. Vera said. Through the policy of tax amnesty and self-confession, the BIR chief pointed out, the government will be able to collect both undiscovered and uncollected revenues and at the same time save considerable expenses in assessment and collection. “ No further questions will be asked. No divulgement of source will be demanded. All declarations will be kept from the prying eye of BIR examiners, ” he said. CAMP CRAME authorities announced that there is no need for clearance from the Constabulary Highway Patrol Group for renewal of of registration of motor vehicles under the same ownership. Col. Paulino Briones Jr., CHPG commander made this clarification and specified the following which need clearances: 1) brand new motor vehicles; 2) vehicles which have been rebuilt; 3) any transfer of ownership of motor vehicles; and 4) vehicles whose possessors doubt the legality or source of their vehicles. The CHPG commander said that his office will not charge any fee in the issuance of these clearances. He requested the public to report to him any person asking for any payment or fee regarding such clearances. Vehicle owners in the provinces and seeking clearances should go to the nearest local PC command or highway patrol team. INSURANCE COMMISSIONER Gregoria Arnaldo ordered a 25 per cent reduction on fire premium rates for private dwellings, schools and other residential buildings, and a 10 per cent across-the-board reduction on all premium rates of the Workmen ’ s Compensation and Employers Liability insurance. The reduction shall take effect on January l ” , 1973 and shall be applicable to all new renewal policies of fire and ” workmen ’ s compensation insurance. Commissioner Arnaldo said that the insurance industry is a service industry and insurance benefits and protection should spread and be made available to a greater segment of the country at reasonable costs. TWO MORE TOWNS in Central Luzon have been added to the top priority list of projects of the Department of Agrarian Reform, bringing a total of 11 towns the number of pilot areas undertaking “ Operation Land Transfer. ” The move to include Conception in Tarlac and Arayat in Pampanga in the priority list stemmed from the President ’ s Letter of Instructions to DAR Secretary Conrado F. Estrella to set up land reform projects “ where tenancy ’ has been generating social unrest. ” Arayat and Concepcion are two of the most densely tenanted towns in Central Luzon. The coverage of these towns by “ Operation Land Transfer ” will benefit some 3,844 farmers in 12,633 hectares of rice and corn lands. TWELVE SPECIAL teams of Constitutional Convention delegates will form the Concon Speakers ’ Bureau that will go all over the country in a nationwide campaign for the ratification of the new Constitution. The speaking sorties are designed to support the campaign conducted by the other delegates, senators and representatives, local and other government officials under the National Ratification Coordinating Council. At the same time, a nationwide youth campaign was likewise launched by the National Youth Coordinating Committee. About 400 student and youth leaders all over the country is enlisting the support not only of student groups but also of educators and scholars “ who have at heart the future of the country. ”

[6] Official Gazette for December 15, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS emphasized the role of medical leaders in distributing equally the limited medical resources and skills of the country “ so that we do not wind up taking good care of only the affluent while forgetting and condemning to an early death the rest of the population. ” In a speech before the Philippine Hospital Association read for him by Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, Medicare chairman, the President said that the degree by which health services in a developing country can be raised depends on the degree in which a nation is able to muster its resources for economic development. DR. MARCOS, for his part, advised hospital administrators to prepare for more participation in the Medicare Program because of its expanded services planned for 1973. The Medicare chief thanked hospital officials for their full cooperation in the initial nine months of medicare implementation which was “ very successful ” . He, however, expressed regret that some hospitals were at first reluctant to cooperate. He said nonetheless that these hospitals are blameless because “ they wanted to prove first our statement that payment under medicare is guaranteed. ” Dr. Marcos said the Medicare Program has been moving very fast but it will maintain a faster pace in 1973. ONE THOUSAND three-room typhoon-resistant school buildings designed to withstand wind velocities up to 140 miles per hour will be constructed by the Bureau of Public Works and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 24 provinces of Luzon. The construction will be facilitated by the project agreement between the National Economic Council and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The agreement provides that the US AID will reimburse the Philippines in the amount of $3 million for the construction of said school buildings and will provide $200,000 worth of jeeps, pick-ups and dump trucks for said construction. FOREIGN AFFAIRS Secretary Carlos P. Romulo reported that the 27th General Assembly of the United Nations has been one of the most fruitful for the Philippines from the standpoint of substantial benefits gained for the Filipino people. Mr. Romulo who is chairman of the Philippine delegation to the assembly, said that the Philippine delegation “ benefited from the foresight of President Marcos who, as early as two years ago, had given instructions that the work of the Philippine mission to the UN should be development-oriented. JUSTICE SECRETARY Vicente Abad Santos requested all district judges in the country to act favorably and expeditiously on the motions that may be filed by Comelec provincial supervisors and election registrars for the withdrawal of precinct books of voters which might be presently in the custody of the courts. Secretary Santos noted that these books are needed by the corresponding boards of inspectors, otherwise they cannot prepare the current list of voters. He said that since precinct books of voters will be used in the 1973 plebiscite, the judges should allow the books to be withdrawn even if they are presently in the custody of the courts in connection with pending election cases or criminal cases for violations of the election law. ENGLISH AND Filipino texts of the proposed Constitution of the Philippines were printed, in full in the December 11 issue of the Official Gazette. The publication was in compliance with Sec. 2 of Presidential Decree No. 73 dated December 1, 1972 which also required the printing of the proposed charter in three issues of at least two newspapers of national circulation not later than two weeks before the plebiscite.

[7] Official Gazette for December 16, 1972: INFORMATION SECRETARY Francisco S. Tatad said that the proposed Constitution is a “ Filipino Constitution, conceived and constructed in a time of crisis, at a moment of supreme test for the Filipino character. ” Speaking at a mass rally organized by the Quezon City government in front of the Q.C. city hall, Mr. Tatad said that the new charter “ comes from the hearthfire of Filipino radicalism, endowed with all the liberal ideals and passions that have been preserved through the generations, and responsive to the revolutionary challenge of the future. ” He added: “ It is a Constitution, that knows fully and seeks to serve intimately only the Filipino interest that seeks to minister to the wholeness of our being by serving our individual and national progress. It is a Constitution that knows the Filipino as its only master, and that puts no other master besides him. It is a Constitution that speaks for our people, because it speaks directly to them and, through it, our people speak of their individual and common interests to one another. It is a Constitution for our age, but it is a Constitution that can belong to all ages. ” DEFENSE SECRETARY Juan Ponce Enrile stressed that the military will adopt a total stance of impartiality in the coming plebiscite on January 15. The armed forces have been “ primarily assigned the task of maintaining peace and order in the free discussions of the issues involved in the new Constitution as we ’ ll as in the voting by the people for or against the new Constitution. ” Secretary Enrile said in a speech before the Harvard Club of the Philippines, recalled that under General Order No. 17, the President, ordered that “ no person shall be questioned or investigated before or after the plebiscite for any speech, remarks or statements in any discussions or debates intended to explain the proposed Constitution or to enlighten the people about it or for any views for or against it or its ratification made in public rallies, or debates, in printed or other forms of communication, radio or television and such remarks, statements or views shall not be admissible as evidence in any investigations or suits against the person or persons making them. ” PRESIDENTIAL Proclamation 1081 imposing Martial Law in the Philippines brought new and broader dimensions to local business and industry, and the military ’ s primary task is to bring about order and favorable conditions for Filipinos to work peacefully, safely and gainfully. This was the assessment of PC Chief Fidel V. Ramos in his speech during the third annual conference on “ Business Prospects of 1973 ” sponsored by the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and the Vision Publishing Corp. in Makati, Rizal. Gen. Ramos said that in one fell swoop, the government reversed the pre-martial law tide of lawlessness and disorder that sickened the old society. “ In just about two months of martial law, the percentage of criminality and lawlessness has dramatically dipped, ” he said. He allayed fears that new government policies might tighten into a stranglehold against business and industrial interests.

[8] Official Gazette for December 17, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS led a nationwide “ Come Out and Vote Yes ” movement as he rallied the citizenry to articulate the ideals of the proposed Philippine Constitution with overwhelming affirmative votes. At the same time, the President called on all ratification committees and affiliate organizations to explain to the people in full details the important highlights of the new Constitution. The President reiterated his appeal for the ratification of the new charter, saying the reforms achieved under the new society will rise or fall on the result of the plebiscite. He said the strong basis for national development is ingrained in the new Constitution and that alone, he explained, gives substance to all that are being done today. SPEAKER CORNELIO T. Villareal expressed confidence that the new Constitution would have an easy sailing at the Jan. 15 plebiscite. He made the observation as he ended week-long series of conferences which he had conducted with the coordinating committees of all 11 regions in the country. The committees are composed of congressmen, Constitutional Convention delegates and provincial governors. SOME 766,500 seedlings of high-yielding varieties of tobacco are being made available by the Bureau of Plant Industry to all farmers and interested parties. The seedlings are in the bureau ’ s, nurseries in Pangasinan, Abra, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, sites of the government ’ s intensified tobacco production program. The BPI has been distributing seeds and planting materials to the public in line with the “ Green Revolution ” movement of the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos. Some 231,985 coco seedlings are at present available at the BPI experiment stations and nurseries in Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Camarines, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga, Surigao, Davao and South Cotabato.

[9] Official Gazette for December 18, 1972: PRESIDENT AND MRS. Marcos played Santa Glaus to some 7,000 indigent children during the Bagong Lipunan Children ’ s Festival at the Malacanaiig grounds. This was the first public appearance of the First Lady since the assassination attempt against her on December 7. Assisting the First Couple were children Imee, Irene and Bongbong, movie and television stars. SOME 2,621,817 packets of high-yielding vegetable seeds and 340,000 pieces of planting materials were distributed to farmers and interested parties by the Bureau of Plant Industry during the first five months of the current fiscal year. From July to November this year, the bureau ’ s seed center on San Andres, Malate alone distributed some 1,516,277 packets of vegetable seeds and 300,000 seedlings, free of charge, while sales amounted to 410,000 packets of seeds and 40,000 planting materials valued at Fill,475.73. Among those distributed were seeds of ampalaya, batao, beans, chaote, patola, sitao, squash, upo, seguidillas, patani, cucumber, cauliflower, pechay, lettuce, radish, onion and pepper. SEVENTY-THREE officials and employes of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation have been separated from the service. Among them were the administrative officer of the commission, four lawyer-special investigators, a supervising clerk, 10 special agents, three intelligence officers, four alien control officers of provincial stations and 12 immigration officers from both the Manila office and subports, Commissioner Edmundo Reyes announced. FISCALS ARE obliged to extend legal assistance to cooperatives. This was the ruling of Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos who cited Section 67 of the Philippine Non-Agricultural Cooperatives Act which reads: “ Cooperatives registered under this act shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any law . . . enjoy the privilege of being represented in courts by the provincial or city fiscal or the Solicitor General or his representatives, as the case may be, free of charge, in any case in which they are either plaintiffs or defendants, except when the Philippine Government is the plaintiff itself; and all suits brought by or on behalf of a cooperative shall be instituted in court by them at most within three months from the date of receipt of such suit. ”

[10] Official Gazette for December 19, 1972: INFORMATION SECRETARY Francisco S. Tatad called upon the youth to involve themselves in the nationwide effort to ratify the proposed Constitution. “ We appeal to the young among our countrymen, because the Constitution that we are called upon to ratify is a Constitution that will be not only for the present but also for the future—and the youth is the seed of the future, ” Secretary Tatad said. COMELEC CHAIRMAN Jaime N. Ferrer, likewise, appealed to civic-spirited citizens to act as poll watchers in their respective areas. He said: “ Sec. 9 of Presidential Decree No. 73 requiring the Comelec to appoint representatives of civic groups to serve as poll watchers, is a fitting recognition of the vital role of volunteer citizens ’ groups in our basic democratic processes. Those who belong to local civic organizations should take advantage of this opportunity, more so since this historic plebiscite will constitute the crossroads of our national life. ” DANGEROUS DRUGS Board announced that prescription forms for dangerous drugs are now available at that office on the second floor, Bureau of Quarantine annex, Port Area, Manila. Distribution in the provinces will be made through the regional health offices.

[11] Official Gazette for December 20, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS issued a Letter of Instructions to the secretaries of national defense, public information and justice that “ for the purposes of the free and open debate on the new Constitution … you will see to it that the effects of my Proclamation No. 1081 are temporarily suspended. ” The letter said that “ you will ensure that all media will give an opportunity to those opposing and those favoring the ratification of the new Constitution to meet face to face in a formal debate in this subject. You will direct all printing presses to print all forms of propaganda whether in favor or against the new Constitution and see to it that all military personnel allow their open and free distribution. You will submit weekly reports to me on the implementation of this order. ” ONE GREAT significance of the Medicare Program is that it has relieved employes of the problem of taking care of their own expenses when they are hospitalized. Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, Medicare chairman, said that in the past, government employes, except for those in government corporations, personally spent for their hospitalization. This is the reason why many government employees went to the charity wards of government hospitals when they became sick and were hospitalized, he said. PAYING TRIBUTE to the Filipino soldier “ whose sense of responsibility, devotion to duty, forebearance, and humane touch characterized the enforcement of my instructions and made martial law in our country unique, ” President Marcos said that the initial objectives of Proclamation 1081 were attained because of the good qualities of said Filipino soldier. The President said, “ the character of the Filipino soldier is sound not only because of his deep grounding in the democratic precepts but also because of his basic enlightenment and training made possible by institutions such as this we are formally inaugurating here today. ” The President made these observations in a speech read for him by Secretary Enrile at the inauguration of the PC Training Center at Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite. FOR ILLEGAL possession of firearms, a resident of San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City was sentenced to 20 years at hard labor by Military Commission No. 5. Convicted was Rogelio Aquino y Santos who was arrested last October 14 at the basement of the General Bank and Trust Co at Rosario Street in Binondo, Manila while in possession of a Colt cal .9 mm pistol by members of the Manila Metropolitan Police. The gun was licensed but was being carried outside of the licensee ’ s residence which is a violation of the firearm ban.

[12] Official Gazette for December 21, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS said that the rapid increase in investment programs shows growing confidence in the stability of the country and in the bright prospects for investment. During the signing of the investment contract ” between Ford Philippines and the Export Processing Zone, the President said that all other participants in the Progressive Car Manufacturing Program have also decided to increase their commitments and have also shown interest in the example set by Ford Philippines in establishing a $35 million car body stamping plant in Bataan. THE PRESIDENT asked the armed forces to continue its vigilance “ with the same lofty motivation, the same prodigous energy the same firm discipline and with ever increasing hopes for a better day for our country and people. ” The President made this appeal in a speech at the 37th anniversary commemoration of the AFP in Camp Aguinaldo. “ Even as we put our trust in Divine Providence, let us continue to be vigilant, to be enterprising, to be self-reliant the President said. “ For ultimately God rewards those who do and dare. ” SECRETARY TATAD explained the nation ’ s efforts and determination to recast the framework of Philippine society. “ Out of the weaknesses of the past, we wanted to create a society which every Filipino can take just pride in because of its intrinsic excellence, and because it would be a society that would combine all these things, the goodness, and excellence of all, ” Mr. Tatad said. “ A society which is the handiwork of all Filipinos and which shows in all its aspects the work of everyone who has put in his share. ” PRICES OF PALAY and rice have been more stable in 1972 compared with last year, and the imposition of Martial Law arrested the tendency of rice retail prices to peak in September. In a study by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the following notable trends of palay and rice prices were observed: 1) prices have tended to be more stable during calendar year 1972 than calendar year 1971; 2) the tendency of prices in 1971 was to move upward while in 1972 it is the reverse 3) Retail prices in 1972 tended to reach a peak in September but after the imposition of Martial Law these either remained steady in October or fell but the price level was still well below the price control level. Nevertheless, prices were generally lower during the whole month of November and up to the present; and 4) in general, for two major trading centers—Cabanatuan City and Greater Manila— retail prices during 1972 were somewhat higher on the average than prices in 1971, but showed greater stability. EMPLOYEES OF THE national government are not required to present their Employer ’ s Medicare Contribution Certification when they seek admission as Medicare patients in government hospitals under the Department of Health. In a circular issued by Acting Health Secretary Clemente S. Gatmaitan, all hospitals under the Department of Health were enjoined to dispense with the requirement of said certification (PMCC Form 1) in connection with the admission of medicare patients who are employees of the national government. In case of doubt, however, as to the employment status of the patient, he may be required to execute a promissory note obligating himself to pay the hospital services and professional fees involved during his confinement in the hospital. SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS imprisonment at hard labor by a military tribunal was Marcellano L. Bacani of Tondo, Manila for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition following a trial which started at 9:40 a.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m. The accused, 34 years old, was arrested and detained by the Manila Metropolitan Police last October 9, when they found in his possession an unlicensed revolver caliber .22 with six rounds of ammunition. PRESIDENT MARCOS is looking into the merits of a proposal to postpone the holding of the plebiscite on the new Constitution on January 15 because of lack of material time. The proposal to postpone the plebiscite came from officials of the Comelec and local governments. The Comelec observed that there is a need for a few more days to enable new voters to register. The provincial governors and city mayors, on their part, appealed for more time to disseminate information about the proposed Constitution to far-flung places, especially those hit by calamities. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Alejandro Melchor Jr. announced the formal start of operations of the Public Information Unit in the Executive Office, created under Memorandum Order No. 317 and organized under the supervision of Assistant Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora. The PIU was created to facilitate matters for the general public who transact business with Malacañang, by avoiding the unnecessary daily follow-ups of papers by interested parties, and providing for a systematic flow of papers needing Malacañang action, thereby saving time and effort on the part of all concerned.

[13] Official Gazette for December 22, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS reiterated his pledge to pursue the land reform program at all costs regardless of the obstacles placed in its path. The President renewed his pledge in a speech before tiller-tenants at the Maharlika hall of Malacañang before distributing individual certificates of land transfer to 431 former tenants representing the first batch to be emancipated, from their bondage to the soil they tilled, barely two months after the President issued his Decree No. 27 last October 21. Of the 431 new tiller-land owners, 14 came from Plaridel, Bulacan; 270 from Guimba and 63 from Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija; 65 from Tigaon, Camarines Sur; and 14 from Dingle and five from Pototan, Iloilo. Some of the tenants from, Zaragoza were former tenants of the President ’ s mother, Mrs. Josefa Edralin Marcos, whom he knew by their first names. PRIVATE INSURANCE companies continued to be one of the major sources of funds for economic development as they invested the total amount of P4, 154,986.30 in development projects in November this year. The total investments of private insurance firms from January to November 1972 amounted to P111,504,507.56 in government and private economic development projects. Reliance Surety and Insurance Company, Inc. topped the investments for the month with a total of P630,000 in Central Bank certificates of indebtedness notes, while the rest were placed in DBP progress bonds and in commercial papers of manufacturing and public utilities firms. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT pledging their equipment, skills, logistics and manpower in rehabilitating and protecting denuded forest areas all over the country was forged by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Department of National Defense. Signed by Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco Jr. and Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, the agreement provides for the restoration and protection of forest cover at the Mt. Arayat National Park and other areas that may be designated by the Bureau of Forest Development. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Alejandro Melchor Jr. led Malacañang officials and employes in bringing Christmas cheer to residents of barrio San Antonio in Bay, Laguna. Mr. Melchor was accompanied by Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, Ronaldo B. Zamora, Flores Bayot and Ramon Cardenas, and about 600 division chiefs and employes from the Executive Office. Since Mr. Melchor became Executive Secretary, lie has led Palace personnel in bringing Christmas gifts to poor families in depressed areas of the country, under the Maligayang Pasko Project. In 1970, the objects of the employes ’ goodwill were the typhoon victims in Casiguran and Infanta, Quezon, and some towns in Bicol; and the refugees in Marawi City and Iligan last year. SOME 500 GOVERNMENT Farm Management technicians will undergo a four-month intensive training on new rice technology at the International Rice Research Institute, Laguna early next year. To be held January 8 to April 13, 1973, the training is in preparation for a massive package program for increasing rice production in the country. The trainees will come mostly from the Bureau of Agricultural Extension and Bureau of Plant Industry who are working under coordinated supervision of the National Food and Agriculture Council, These agricultural agencies will launch will launch the “ Masagana 99 ” in 18 provinces covering a total rice area of 58,901 hectares of irrigated and 25,241 hectares of non-irrigated farms during crop year 1973-74. Provinces covered by the rice production program are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Leyte and Bohol.

[14] Official Gazette for December 23, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS said that ethical transformation is as important to the New Society as social and economic transformation, “ for it touches the soul of our nation. ” In a message to the Knights of Columbus of Tagbilaran, Bohol on the occasion of its silver anniversary, the President observed: “ But in building the New Society, we do not intend—as the communists have done and still do—to destroy everything, to raze the building, as it were, to the ground and build an entirely new structure. This is not only wasteful, it is unnecessarily traumatic. ” He added: “ Development in itself is difficult enough. We do not intend to destroy or discard for the sake of destroying or discarding. We will save, conserve and nurture those institutions and beliefs that are still viable and that contribute to the strengthening of our nation. ” PUBLIC INFORMATION Secretary Francisco S. Tatad, in defining the role of his department in the New Society, said it aims “ to impart to the nation a distilled philosophy of our way of life, the way of life we intend to achieve for our people. ” The basic raw material of the department is information, which Mr. Tatad described as a “ commodity that moves people to do certain things in favor of other choices that endows them with habits, attitudes and values, so that they will ultimately be have in a particular way rather than in another way. ” The secretary brought this message to the concluding session of a seminar on the New Society sponsored by the National Media Production Center, and attended by chief training officers and chief information officers in the government. “ We give to information the duty of improving the quality of human life, ” the secretary in his speech said. “ Its role, therefore, is to carry the message of the policy-making authorities of our government and the civic leadership. Its integral role is to convey to the policy-making organs of the society the views, attitudes, habits and values relevant to the making of a public policy and such views, attitudes, habits and values from which a public philosophy may be distilled. ” IN ORDER TO GIVE the people ample time for an open and free debate on the proposed Constitution, President Marcos decided to post pone the holding of the plebiscite which was originally scheduled for January 15. Accordingly, the President directed: 1) the secretaries of justice, defense and public information to meet with Comelec officials in order to determine which of the two proposed dates—February 19 or March 5—should be chosen for the plebiscite; 2) the extension of the registration period for new voters which was to end December 23; and 3) the printing and distribution of copies of the proposed Constitution in eight major dialects. The decision to postpone the plebiscite was arrived at following a series of meetings between the President and leaders of various sectors of society. JUSTICE SECRETARY Vicente Abad Santos issued Circular No 97 to all district and circuit criminal court judges, provincial and “ city fiscals to give effect to the Presidential directive allowing free and open debate on the new Constitution proposed for ratification. “ The President has directed me, ” the secretary said in the circular, ‘“ to inform you that any person who might be arrested and detained in connection there with is entitled to prompt judicial remedies, including the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in case his arrest and detention are in connection with the plebiscite on the proposed Constitution. Accordingly, you are hereby directed to act on such cases with deliberate haste, reporting to me the action you have taken. ” The President in a previous letter addressed to the secretaries of national defense, public information and justice, suspended the effects of martial law for purposes of the free and open debate on the proposed Constitution.

[15] Official Gazette for December 24, 1972: PHASE TWO OF THE Operation Land Transfer launched a month ago by the Department of Agrarian Reform in the nine pilot municipalities almost crossed the finish line with 95 per cent of the tenant-tillers interviewed and 75 per cent of the barrios surveyed. A report submitted to the President stated that 11,467 out of 12,000 tenant-farmers were identified while 259 out of 344 barrios have been surveyed. Five of the nine pilot projects have passed through the parcellary mapping phase totalling 4,179 sketches made. Topping the list for the complete identification of tenants were San Mateo, Isabela; Plaridel, Bulacan; Biñan and Calamba, Laguna; while capping the list for the complete survey of barrios were Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija; San Mateo, Isabela; Plaridel, Bulacan; Biñan and Calamba, Laguna. WITH PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 27, President Marcos placed in proper focus and perspective the vital role that land reform plays in the building of a new social order. The decree releases the tenant-farmers from the straight-jacket of feudal relations, transfers to them the ownership of the land they till and provides the instruments and mechanism with which they could carry out their complete emancipation. Needless to state, emancipation is not conferred. It is not a matter of fiats or pronouncements. It involves a process of struggle by which the tenants, given the necessary “ instruments and mechanism, ” translate their aspirations into reality. Thus, the decree emphasizes the importance of agricultural cooperatives, making these the basis for tenant- farmers to become eventually the owners of the lands they till. TEN MORE OUTLAWS who participated in the aborted uprising in Marawi City last October 21 and 22 surrendered with their firearms to PC Chief Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos at the Mindanao State University compound in Marawi. A total of 8,505 assorted firearms, including high power automatic weapons, collected in the two Lanao provinces, were also presented to Brig. Gen. Ramos. CAMARINES NORTE will produce some 120,000 cavans more of rice this season despite sporadic attacks of pests and diseases on crops. Barring typhoons or floods, the province will easily realize this increase over its previous rice production. The average yield of rice in the province is now 70 cavans per hectare.