April 8, 1972

[1] Official Gazette for April 9, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS led a national pilgrimage to Mt. Samat in commemoration of the Fall of Bataan. The President, assisted by U.S. Ambassador Henry Byroade and Rizalino P. Lacuna, national commander of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, raised the Philippine flag over the site during the ceremonies. In his speech, the President declared that “never again should our country depend on others for its security.” The President said that the Philippines has faith and trust in its allies arid friends, and it can depend on them. “But we can best trust ourselves and depend on our own capabilities,” he said. (See pp. 3131-3135 for full text of the President’s speech.) The President had a brief rest upon arrival in Malacañang in the afternoon, and then went over urgent official papers.

[2] Official Gazette for April 10, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS and the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, motored at 10:30 a.m. to the Nayong Pilipino to attend the award rites and luncheon given in their honor in connection with the commemoration of Bataan Day. During the award ceremonies, the President conferred the Golden Heart Presidential Award on Maj. Gen. Hugh J. Casey (U.S. ret.) for his “pioneering efforts and active participation in the development of hydroelectric power in the Philippines.” He also conferred Presidential Plaques on U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower James H. Johnson in appreciation of his participation in the anniversary commemorative rites; and Maj. Gen. Hugh Casey, Brig. Gen. Russel Volckmann, Brig. Gen. Donald Blackburn and Col. Edwin Ramsey in “profound appreciation of their contribution to the defense of Bataan and heroic and voluntary service in the underground movement that helped bring about the liberation of the Philippines.” Present were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. Secretary Eduardo Rodriguez of the Office of Economic Coordination, Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, Chairman Manuel Barretto of the National Power Corporation, Filemon Rodriguez and a few other guests and their ladies. Also awarded plaques of appreciation for their participation in the Bataan Day ceremonies held at Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan, were Commander Robert Warren and Major William Dabney of the U.S. marines, both members of Secretary Johnson’s staff. Back in Malacañang early in the afternoon, the President closeted himself in his private study and worked on state papers till late evening.

[3] Official Gazette for April 11, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS spent the day on desk work and in the process submitted to the Commission on Appointments the nominations of 39 officials in the Office of the Solicitor General. All the proposed appointments were promotional, and were approved on recommendation of the Secretary of Justice. In the evening, the President administered the oath of office to Solicitor General Felix Antonio as associate justice of the Supreme Court in a ceremony held at Malacañang. Justice Antonio fills the position vacated by Associate Justice Arsenio P. Dizon, who has retired. Present at the induction were the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos; justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals headed by Chief Justice Roberto Conception and Presiding Justice Salvador V. Esguerra, respectively; Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, Mrs. Natividad J. Antonio and children and other relatives and friends of the inductee.

[4] Official Gazette for April 12, 1972: WITH no scheduled callers to attend to, the President devoted the whole morning to paper work. He, however, received some officials of the executive department who called at Malacañang in the afternoon for consultations.

[5] Official Gazette for April 13, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS had another day devoted to official papers and other matters of state, in the course of which he submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the names of 12 individuals, eight of whom were nominated as municipal judges and four as clerks of court.

[6] Official Gazette for April 14, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS ordered Gov. Luis Singson of Ilocos Sur to disband and disarm all members of his personal security forces as a means of easing the tension in the province. In his memorandum, the President also ordered the demobilization of the former’s personal bodyguards, whether they are with or without any appointment from the governor as his confidential agents, security agents, or informers, or otherwise performing similar functions. The Chief Executive also informed Gov. Singson that he had directed the PC and the commander of the Marine elements in Ilocos Sur to apprehend any person who may be found carrying firearms and performing functions as confidential, security or special agent, informer or bodyguard after 48 hours upon receipt of the order. In a separate action, the President designated Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes as acting executive secretary, upon the departure and for the duration of the absence of Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor Jr. who enplaned for Vienna to attend the meeting of the Asian Development Bank from April 19 to 23. The President also designated: 1) Dr. Alfredo Juinio, National Irrigation Administrator, as concurrent officer-in-charge of the Irrigation Service Unit (ISU). 2) ISU Chief Lazaro Ocampo, as Presidential Assistant on Irrigation. After the induction ceremonies, he repaired to his private study to attend to desk work.

[7] Official Gazette entry for April 15, 1972: THE PRESIDENT submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 15 appointees proposed to various posts in different departments of the executive branch of the government. Of the 15 nominees, nine were to positions in the Office of the President, two in the Department of Finance, and one each in the Departments of Commerce and industry and Public Works and Communications, Office of Economic Coordination, and local governments. Among other actions, the Chief Executive asked the Development Bank of the Philippines to open an agency in Marawi City, and convert its existing agency in Iligan City into a branch as soon as possible. At the same time, the President directed the DBP management to liberalize the terms for loan applicants in the resettlement site in Lanao, to enable them to borrow money from the DBP on the basis of appropriate certificates or guarantees issued by the commander of Task Force LANCAF (Lanao Civic Action Force.) The President worked on state papers in his study till early evening.

[8] Official Gazette for April 16, 1972: THE PRESIDENT had a quiet relatively busy weekend disposing of urgent state papers. He however took time out late in the afternoon to play a round of golf at the Malacañang Park.

[9] Official Gazette for April 17, 1972: THE PRESIDENT received the credentials of His Excellency Sukru Elektag, as non-resident ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Turkey to the Philippines. The President said that the Filipinos as a people believe that their future basically lies in their hands, and to this end “will join forces with: all those who sincerely wish to create’ a better society by cooperating in efforts to uplift the dignity and stature of man.” He stressed that “the seemingly elusive but universally cherished goal of world peace can be attained if only all nations and all peoples exert their utmost toward this end,” and added that “we in the Philippines attach great significance and value to our relationship with Turkey.” He expressed the fervent hope that “the existing goodwill and understanding between our two countries will increase in the coming years.” The President assured Ambassador Elektag that the government will extend to him its fullest cooperation as it was so extended in the case of his predecessor, Ambassador Turgut Aytug. Present at the presentation ceremony were Secretaries Manuel Collantes of the Department of Foreign Affairs Juan Ponce Enrile of the Department of National Defense, Vicente Abad Santos of the Department of Justice, and Constancio Casteñeda of the Department of General Services. Following the presentation ceremonies, the President administered the oath to the newly-elected officers of the League of City Mayors’ of the Philippines. Inducted were City Mayors Luis Lardizabal of Baguio, league chairman; Luis T. Santos of Davao, executive vice chairman; Gregorio S. Imperial of Legaspi, secretary-general; Cipriano M. Manaois of Dagupan, treasurer; Mario L. Tagarao of Lucena, vice chairman; Pedro S. Tolentino of Batangas, regional vice chairman for Luzon; Maximo Patalinjud, Jr. of Lapu-Lapu, regional vice chairman for the Visayas; Leroy S. Brown of Basilan, regional vice chairman for Mindanao; Eulalio F. Siazon of Laoag, regional director for Northern Luzon; Elpidio O. Cucio of Palayan, regional director for Central Luzon; Jose C. Villanueva of Iriga, regional director for Southern Luzon; Manuel Y. Torres of Bago, regional director for Western Visayas; Filemon D. Arteche, Jr. of Tacloban, regional director for Eastern Visayas; Germanico Carrion of Dapitan, regional director for Western Mindanao: and Pedro R. Espino of Surigao, regional director for Eastern Mindanao. The President later conferred with the Mayors on problems of the cities. The President did not receive callers in the afternoon. He devoted his time instead to urgent official papers.

[10] Official Gazette for April 18, 1972: THE PRESIDENT received only a few callers, mostly officials of the executive department, even as he concentrated once more on urgent state papers. While engaged on desk work, the President signed, and submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation, the nominations of one city fiscal and 22 assistant city and provincial fiscals.

[11] Official Gazette for April 19, 1972: THE PRESIDENT started working in his private study after breakfast. At about 11 a.m., he received General and Mrs. Erik Weekberg, who paid their respects to the First Couple before leaving for Sydney, Australia, after attending the 35th Congress of the Philippine command of the Salvation Army. The President thanked the SA leader for the humanitarian work of his Organization in the country and assured him of all possible government support to enable it to continue operating. Mrs. Weekberg likewise congratulated the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, for her “impressive” integrated social welfare and cultural development programs, as well as for the “Green Revolution.” The Weekbergs were accompanied to Malacañang by Lt. Col. Nancy Hulett, commanding officer of the SA Philippine Command. The President continued working in his study from late afternoon till evening.

[12] It is unknown where this text comes from, because this entry is missing from PCGG.

[13] Official Gazette for April 20, 1972: THE PRESIDENT started the day with a breakfast conference with leaders of both chambers of Congress, to chart the special session vis-a-vis urgent bills. The President also took up with the Congress leaders amendments to the Tariff Code and the Internal Revenue Code, including possible withdrawal of tax exemptions and subsidies from some industries; the educational development programs, and the integrated national government reorganization plan. Present at the conference which lasted for over an hour were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Senate Majority Floor Leader Arturo Tolentino, Senators Rene Espina, Lorenzo Teves, Leonardo Perez, Ambrosio Padilla, Alejandro Almendras, Helena Z. Benitez, and Mamintal Tamano; House Majority Floor Leader Marcelino Veloso, and Reps. Jose Alberto of Catanduanes and Natalio P. Castillo of Bohol. After the meeting, the President received’ officials of the Chemical Bank of New York and their wives, accompanied by Tony Floirendo, who paid a courtesy call. The officials were Chairman and Mrs. William Rendard, First Vice President and Mrs. Donald C. Platten, Executive Vice President Charles W. Carson, Jr., Senior Vice President and Mrs. Paul Bubenday, Representative for the Philippines and Southeast Asia Paul Meyers and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. C. Sherwood. At mid-morning, a plaque of appreciation and gratitude was presented to the President by members of the Government Prosecutors League headed by Florentino Flor, president, “for his consuming concern for the improvement of the economic welfare of the government prosecutors and professionalization of the service under R. A. 6407. Among other callers were: 1) Special Presidential Envoy on Tourism Antonio Delgado, who reported on the results of his recent trip abroad; 2) Gov. Murphy Sangkula and Rep. Indanan Anni of Sulu, who sought fund releases for various public works projects; 3) Ambassador Manuel T. Yan, who tailed for final instructions prior to his departure for his post as Philippine Ambassador to Thailand; 4) Rep. Constantino Navarro of Surigao del Norte, who headed a delegation of town mayors seeking release of funds and prefabricated school houses; and 5) Vladimir Kulinitch accompanied by former Civil Aeronautics Administrator Federico Ablan, who called on the President to signify the intention of Aeroflot (Russian National airlines) to open Moscow-Manila flights via Tokyo and Singapore. The President told Kulinitch to submit a formal request so that it can be referred to the proper authorities. Other callers of the President were Vicente Abalahon, Pedro Opiana, Jose Flaminiano, Marconi Pairo, Pukoman Pandangan, Inocencia Gonzales, Jose Arcangel, Vicente Ocampo, Anastacio Lobaton, Senso Orbanilla, Lucas Carpio, Lilia Lopez, Ramon Mabutas, Fred Nepomuceno, Justiniano Cortez, Nicolas Galang, Florentino Jacinto, Emilio Adrion, Rufo Bernardo, Julian Salcedo, Horacio Adaza, Modesto Roscas and Alejandro Leopando of the Government Prosecutors League.

[14] Official Gazette for April 21, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS had two speaking engagements, one in Laguna and another in Quezon City. At about mid-morning, the President flew to Los Baños, to address the 10th anniversary of the start of research work at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). In his speech, the President said that the discovery of the “miracle rice” by the International Rice Research Institute has given new hope to the hungry and malnourished multitudes in Asia and elsewhere. The President, however, stressed that “the fight against higher prices and periodic shortages has by no means ended in spite of the dramatic gains that have been made in the 10 years since IRRI “began its work.” He cited the experience of the country in the production of high-yielding varieties of rice. The Chief Executive stressed that the Philippine experience—affirming that the “rice revolution” is a continuing struggle both of production and marketing—could be instructive for all Asian countries facing the same problems and challenges. The President emphasized that these very difficult issues could be settled if approached in the proper spirit. He said that the example of the IRRI, “an international undertaking where people from many countries have gathered to meet a common problem,” sets the tone. He said that it is the spirit of cooperation that will in the end, bring comfort as well as solutions to the grave problems of the world. The President paid special tribute to the men who guided the IRRI since its founding, namely: Dr. J. George Harrar, president of the Rockefeller Foundation; Dr. Robert Chandler, president of the IRRI; and Dr. Forrest Hill, chairman of the IRRI board of trustees. He also expressed the hope that the next decade of the IRRI “will be as exciting, as fulfilling, as rewarding, and as successful” as IRRI’s first 10 years. From Los Baños, the President helicoptered at 11:00 a.m. to the SSS building in Quezon City, where he was guest speaker of the Fifth Labor-Management Congress. Addressing some 500 delegates representing labor and management as well as the government sector, the President urged the delegates to work out a realistic proposal and guidelines for enhancing industrial peace. He also pointed to the great challenges facing the nation, which entail a response from labor and management as well as the government. The President emphasized that the “thrust of our social effort is not merely towards bread but towards bread with justice and freedom.” The Chief Executive enjoined the congress to “come to terms with the social and economic realities of our times so that, together, labor and management may voice their aspirations and demands about the kind of society that is most responsive to their welfare.” “You are called here not in the role of economic combatants but as statesmen of labor and management impelled by common goodwill to find solutions to problems and achieve a broad era of agreement on some nagging and stubborn issues of our times.” The President gave the congress some pointers in discussing the ways to insure free trade unionism and collective bargaining, as follows: 1) Management, in many medium and small sized industries, continues to resist unions and find every available means of blocking them. 2) Inter-union rivalry is not conducive to industrial peace as may be seen from the fact that 47 percent of all strikes in 1970 were caused by inter-union rivalry. 3) The conciliation and mediation arm of the Department of Labor lacks funds and facilities and, therefore, Congress should appropriate more funds to maintain this agency. “But a more lasting victory has yet to be won since the first two factors create a climate inimical to industrial peace while the third represents the inability of government to expand facilities enough to meet the demands of industrial conflict,” the President warned. The President was back in Malacañang early in the afternoon. The rest of his working hours were spent on paper work.

[15] Official Gazette for April 22, 1972: THE PRESIDENT closeted himself in his private study and went over piles of state papers in the morning and afternoon. Early in the evening he stood as sponsor at the wedding of Rora Navarro, daughter of Rep. Constantino Navarro, held at the Santuario de San. Antonio, Forbes Park in Makati, Rizal. After the wedding, the President proceeded to the Club Filipino at Greenhills, San Juan, Rizal where he was guest of honor at the U.P. Law Alumni Association dinner. The President presented the plaque and award to “the most distinguished alumnus of 1972.” The Chief Executive was back in Malacañang late in the evening.

[16] The rest of the entry is cut off.

[17] Official Gazette for April 23, 1972: THE PRESIDENT devoted almost another day to urgent paper work. Early in the afternoon, the President had a brief rest and then played a round of golf with friends at the Malacañang Park. Toward evening, the President received some officials of the executive department who discussed with him matters concerning their offices.

[18] Official Gazette for April 24, 1972: THE PRESIDENT was guest of honor in the afternoon at the inauguration and blessing of the modern printing plant of the Daily Express, a national newsmagazine. In an interview with staffers of Channel 5 later, the President said the government will encourage the establishment of any additional medium of communications “for the dissemination of our democratic way of life.” The President spent the earlier part of the day on official papers.

[19] Official Gazette for April 25, 1972: THE PRESIDENT ordered Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile to proceed to Ilocos Sur to look into the grenade-bombing early in the morning in Cabugao that cost the lives of, and inflicted injuries on, a big number of fiesta celebrants. Among other actions taken by the President in the wake of the incident, he: 1) Sent two planes of the Philippine Air Force on a mercy mission to the area, complete with medical teams from the V. Luna General Hospital and the Department of Health, with orders to attend to, and evacuate, the injured for treatment at VLGH. 2) Dispatched a light plane with CIS investigators and a crime laboratory to the town, to assist in the investigation. At mid-morning, the President received a large number of callers, mostly provincial executives, who took up with him local matters such as the release of public works and calamity funds and the peace and order situation. The only other caller on the Chief Executive was Ambassador Julio Menimo Salcedas of Portugal, who came to say goodbye before leaving for home where his new assignment, after a three and a half years’ tour of duty in the Philippines, would be given him. The outgoing Portuguese envoy thanked the President and, through him, the Filipino people, for giving him the opportunity to complete his mission successfully and assured the President that whenever possible he would always strive to help promote the interests of the Filipino people. The President expressed the hope that the incoming envoy to replace him would be as successful as he was and assured him that the Filipino people would always welcome him if he would make the Philippines his second home. Next to call on the President was a delegation composed of Governors Palma Gil of Davao Oriental and Verulo Boiser of Davao del Norte; Vice Governors Bienvenida Salceda of Davao del Sur, Cecilia de la Paz of Davao del Norte and Francisco Rabat of Davao Oriental, accompanied by Reps. Constancio B. Maglana and Lorenzo Sarmiento. The President also received Cavite Vice Governor Dominador Camerino who left his sickbed at the Makati Medical Center to take up the peace and order situation in his province and to renew his request for the release of funds for the repair of roads damaged by a series of typhoons. Other callers were Governor J. Antonio Leviste of Batangas, Virgilio Lacaya of Zamboanga del Norte, Aguedo Agbayani of Pangasinan, Ignacio Santiago of Bulacan, Vicente Magsaysay of Zambales and Jaime Gomez of Mt. Province. The President requested the provincial executives to submit to him their respective lists of priority projects so that the release of public works funds could be made systematically and equitably, on the basis of the urgency of a project. Later in the day, the President inducted Andres L. Dinglasan, Jr., prominent labor leader, as Social Security Commissioner (representing labor), vice Israel Bocobo who has been appointed undersecretary of labor. Present at the induction were Constitutional Convention Delegate Roberto S. Oca and Labor Secretary Adrian E. Cristobal.

[20] Official Gazette for April 26, 1972: WITH a heavy schedule of callers on deck, the President started working at his desk early. He signed and submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of nine individuals to various posts in the government. Most of the nominations were to positions in the judiciary. Among others, he conveyed a congratulatory message to Ben Villaflor following the latter’s successful bid for the world’s Junior Lightweight title. The President then received callers, mostly congressmen, starting with a three-man delegation of the German Federation of Trade Unions who paid their respects to the President. Accompanied by German Ambassador J. W. Buddenbrock and former Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople, the delegation was composed of Alfons Lappas, member of the federation and the board of trustees of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung; Erwin Kristofferson and Klaus Pretzer, F-E-S representatives to Asia and the Philippines, respectively. The President also received the members of the executive committee of the National Labor Union Center (NLUC) headed by Antonio Policarpio, who invited him to speak at a labor rally on Labor Day (May 1). The delegation included Ben B. Navarro, Cesar Legayada, Tim Dejon and Filemon Arce. Other callers included some 32 Nacionalista congressmen who sought public works fund releases, allocations of prefabricated school buildings and assistance in procuring hospital ambulance. The congressmen who called on the President were House Majority Floor Leader Marcelino Veloso, Reps. Rafael Legaspi of Aklan, Pablo Malasarte of Bohol, Artemio Mate of Leyte, Pedro C. Medalla of Mindoro Occidental, Constantino Navarro of Surigao del Norte, Jose P. Neri of Camiguin, Fernando Pajarillo of Camarines Norte, Benjamin Perez of Nueva Vizcaya; Jose J. Puyat of Surigao del Sur, Francisco G. Reyes of Manila, Pablo R. Roman of Bataan, Guillermo Sanchez of Agusan del Norte, Lorenzo Sarmiento of Davao del Norte; Celestino Sybico, Eduardo Gullas, Emerito Calderon, Gaudencio Beduya and Manuel Zosa of Cebu; Fermin Caram, Jr. and Gloria Tabiana of Iloilo, Simeon Valdez of Ilocos Norte, Fernando Veloso of Western Samar, Felipe J. Abrigo of Eastern Samar, Rodolfo Albano of Isabela; Felipe Almazan of Kalinga-Apayao, Vicente Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur, Amando D. Cope of Albay, Andres Cosalan of Benguet, Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Macacuna Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur, Tito Dupaya of Cagayan and Felix Fuentebella of Camarines Sur. Early in the evening, the President had an interview with Malacañang newsmen during which he announced that he had rejected proposals to proclaim martial law in Ilocos Sur and to increase the number of troops in that strife-torn province. He told newsmen it was a matter of organizing five teams to follow up five theories that had been submitted for investigation.

[21] Official Gazette for April 27, 1972: THE PRESIDENT conferred in the morning with a combined delegation from Isabela and Quirino provinces, headed by Senator Leonardo Perez and Rep. Benjamin Perez, to discuss the economic development program for the two provinces. The delegation presented proposals on, among others, land problems, increased agricultural production, infrastructures, and share in income tax collections. During the meeting, the President: 1) Appealed to the local executives to pinpoint the alleged bad elements in the army in their localities so that they could be court-martialed. 2) Directed Secretaries Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. of agriculture and natural resources and Conrado Estrella of agrarian reform to coordinate and to take up the proposals with the delegation. 3) Directed Chairman Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council to look into the proposals with the view to giving priority to the two provinces. 4) Defined the basic policy of reserving portions of public lands for reforestation and portions for disposal to the public. 5) Asked for the adoption of a policy to connect lumber concessions by road to national highways for the benefit not only of the concessionaries but of the farmers and peasants. 6) Announced the graduation of some 502 trainees who, in turn, would fan out to the provinces to train local residents in consumer or producer cooperatives organization. Among those in the delegation were Governor Faustino Dy of Isabela and Gualberto Lumauig of Quirino (Ifugao); and the mayors of San Mateo, Jones, Benito Soliven, Reyno Mercedes, Ramos, Echague, Dibilican and Tumauini in Isabela, and Sagada, Cabarroguis, Diffun and Madela in Quirino. After the conference, the President sailed for Cavite City where he officiated at the launching of the new 65—foot ferro-cement fast patrol craft, and the inauguration of the navy barracks, station hospital and officers’ clubhouse. In his brief remarks, the President announced that the Philippine Navy would continue constructing vessels for its own use in line with the new policy of adopting a self-reliant defense posture. He said that the launching of the new craft “epitomizes the will of the Filipino people to do what they can with their own limited resources to attain self-reliance in defense of their own security and welfare.” The Chief Executive arrived at the navy base aboard the RPS 777 at 10:30 a.m., and was met by local officials, foreign dignitaries, military top brass and other high government officials who attended the occasion. From the pier, he motored to the parade ground where he was accorded full military honors by two companies of navy trainees, after which he motored back to the dock for the launching ceremony. The President, assisted by Mrs. Juan Ponce Enrile, pulled the lever which signalled the launching of the vessel. After inspecting the vessel, the President motored to the barracks, the station hospital and then to the officers’ clubhouse for the ribbon cutting rites. After lunch at the clubhouse, he reboarded the RPS 777 for the return trip to Manila. Among those present at the ceremony were Defense Undersecretary Efren I. Plana, Governor Lino Bocalan of Cavite, Mayor Eduardo de Guzman of Cavite City, foreign dignitaries led by Ambassadors Henry Byroade of the United States and Deva Rao of India, and chiefs of the major commands of the armed forces.

[22] Official Gazette for April 28, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS attended the necrological services for the late Fernando Amorsolo, dean of Filipino painters, held in the morning at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In his speech, the President disclosed that he has signed a proclamation establishing a new category of awards and decorations for state honorees. In paying homage to Amorsolo, the President said that “in him we honor every Filipino Artist—living, dead, or unborn.” The President then motored to Manila Hotel where he was guest speaker at the 18th National Rice and Corn Convention. The President enjoined the rice producers and millers to maintain reasonable rice prices, assuring them that the government would desist as much as possible from importing rice but would continue instead to subsidize local producers. At the same time, he appealed to the leaders of the rice industry to help the government conduct an extensive and intensive campaign of information and education to acquaint the people with the services provided by the government, such that propaganda and untruths spread by elements seeking to undermine democracy and freedom could be negated. The President warned the delegates not to lose the fight by default ,, which may happen if responsible citizens do nothing in the face of the propaganda of falsehoods. After his address, the President was presented a plaque of appreciation “in grateful recognition of his sincere efforts, bold program, extensive farm-to-market road building, irrigation dams, pumps, and support for the growth of the rice and corn industry and his concern for the welfare of both the producer and consumer.” The President was back at Malacañang before noon to address the 174 trainees, from the Agricultural Credit Administration, Presidential Arm on Community Development, Agricultural Productivity Commission, National Manpower and Youth Council, and Cooperatives Administration Office. The President reiterated that the cooperative system is the appropriate instrument for radical but peaceful change in a society beset by inequality in its system and unequal distribution of wealth and income. He urged the trainees “to see to it that the cooperatives you will help organize become viable societies, capable of contributing not only to the well-being of their members but also to the development of the country.” In concluding his address, the President underscored the importance of the cooperative institution by saying that “nothing must block it” and assuring the trainees that “your efforts will be supported by the powers of the Presidency of the Philippines.” The President worked on official papers the rest of the day.

[23] Official Gazette for April 29, 1972: THE PRESIDENT continued giving considerable attention to paper work. Among other actions, he: 1) Appointed Amado B. Almazan as hearing officer in the board of special inquiry of the Bureau of Immigration; 2) Designated Romeo V. Manikan acting city treasurer of Iloilo City; 3) Submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of a district judge, 17 municipal judges, a CAR clerk of court, two CFI clerks of court, and three provincial fiscals.

[24] Official Gazette for April 30, 1972: THE PRESIDENT designated Undersecretary of Justice Estelito P. Men-doza as acting solicitor general and Undersecretary of National Defense Efren I. Plana as acting undersecretary of justice, vice Mendoza, even as he spent some time acting on urgent state matters shortly after breakfast.