Saturday
Ambassador [Henry] Byroade explained that he did not mean to intervene in the internal affairs of the Philippines like the citizens assembly or Barangay.
I, in tum, told him that the citizens assembly is the best way to bring about the approval of a new constitution that will attain my objectives of stability, discipline and reform without loss of freedom, and that he need not worry about a dictatorship because I did not want it—what I wanted was a constitution.
I showed him the cable from John G. Sharon officially inviting Imelda to Pres. [Richard] Nixon’s invitation. He did not show it but he must have been surprised because he explained that there was a State Department directive to discourage the visit of dignitaries to the inauguration.
He was apparently relieved of worries about political developments as he farther explained that he would have difficulty in Congress for our aid and support which is not controlled by the U.S. President if there should be developments he cannot explain.
We will have to plan freedom from dependence on the U.S.
I also conferred with the Speaker and House Majority Floor Leader ([Cornelio] Villareal and [Marcelino] Veloso) informing them of my plan to push through a new constitution that may be different from the draft by the Concon [Constitutional Convention]. It would be unicameral with a definite period for an interim government; that we would have to retain powers to prevent a constitutional crisis but by virtue of the will and decision of the people; that we would have to adopt a unicameral legislature; that we would meet on the morning of the 17th to make a final decision.
And Delegate [Gilberto] Duavit that we would have to prepare a new constitution more acceptable to the people, perhaps writing several drafts or alternative proposals and asking citizens assemblies to choose one.
But as Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile reports from Cebu where he has gone from Zamboanga and Basilan, the sentiment for the reforms and support for more discipline and powers by the President is overwhelming.
10:40 PM January 16, 1973[1][2]
Tuesday
Imelda left for the United States by PAL [Philippine Airlines] at 6:30 PM and Imee and I are left alone at the palace.
This morning I spent with the governors and city mayors who insisted that the voting by the citizens assemblies (barangays) was ratification of the new constitutions. I submitted the matter to a vote and it was unanimous. But no ad interim assembly.
So I have to break the bad news to the members of Congress and the Constitutional Convention.
[1] Official Gazette for January 16, 1973: SOME 120 provincial governors and city mayors informed the President that the people had voted “ almost unanimously ” during the Jan. 10-15 referendum to have the new Constitution considered ratified. The local executives who reported the results of the referendum made through meetings of some 35,000 citizens assemblies and barangays, also informed the President that the people have spoken overwhelmingly for the continuation of the present policies of the administration. BRIG. GEN. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief, appealed to all lawless elements in eight provinces and nine cities in the South to take advantage of Presidential Decree No. 95 granting selective amnesty. Gen. Ramos told those affected by the selective amnesty decree that they have until Feb. 28 to return to the folds of the law. After Feb. 28, Gen. Ramos said, the full force of the military will be sent out to track them down. Affected by the decree are lawless elements in the provinces of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Sulu and Palawan, and the cities of Cotabato, Gen. Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Zamboanga, Pagadian, Basilan, Dipolog and Dapitan.
[2] It is unknown where this text comes from because this entry is missing.