I missed August 19th as we finished the dinner for Speaker and Mrs. Carl Albert at about 12:30 [A]M and I went to bed at about 1:30 AM. We had to wake up at 5:30 AM to bid them goodbye.
They visited Fort Santiago, had lunch at the Nayon[g Pilipino] where they participated in the Ati-atihan—face paint and all.
Played golf with four Congressmen—J. William Stanton, _____ at [Bahay] Pangarap and licked them.
Then the dinner at Maharlika [Hall] where Imelda showed the fashions since pre-Spanish like Laterna Magica.
In the toast I spoke of the new, dynamic and revolutionary idea as bold as 1776 which meant the death of the Dutch, French and British empires—that a strong and great country can come to a small and weak nation like the Philippines, educate the people to the ways of democracy, assist it then set the date for independence and keep that promise.
Speaker Albert responded and spoke of the courage of the Filipino in resisting the Japanese and the guerillas saving the lives of thousands and ten of thousands of American lives even during the liberation.
Official Gazette for August 20, 1971: President Marcos received the credentials of a new ambassador, to the Philippines, which along with his signing of House Bill No. 3520 (S. N. 555) authorizing the sweeping rehabilitation of the government railway firm were the only deviations from his usual routine of callers and desk work.
The President received the letters of credence of the new Greek ambassador, at formal ceremonies held in Malacañang. Attending the rites were Cabinet members headed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo.
In the presence of a large group of Philippine National Railways officials, the President signed the bill authorizing the complete rehabilitation of the troubled railway. Present at the signing were a large delegation from the PNR headed by General Manager Nicanor Jimenez; Salvador Villa, chairman of the board; and Macario Roque, chairman of the Federation of PNR labor unions; Senators Dominador Aytona and Magnolia W. Antonio, Reps. Roberto Sabido, Carlos Imperial and Amando Cope of Albay; Felix Fuentabella of Camarines Sur, Fernando Pajarillo of Camarines Norte, Rafael Aquino of Sorsogon, Emilio Espinosa of Masbate, Andres Cosalan of Benguet, and Joaquin Ortega and Jose D. Aspiras of La Union. The President also proclaimed several provincial candidates, including those for governor, mayor, mostly from the Bicol Region. Leading the NP candidates was Pepita Baltazar-Aquino, wife of the highways commissioner, and the NP official bet for governor of Albay.
The rest of the President’s day was divided between callers, mainly delegations from the provinces who came to consult him on local, problems, and state matters requiring his attention. He worked later in the afternoon steadily at his desk. He issued two proclamations, one declaring August 23, the “Cry of Pugad Lawin Day” in the cities of Caloocan and Quezon, and the other declaring August 30, a special public holiday in Mandaue City. August 23, marks the 75th anniversary of the first Filipino uprising against Spain which led to the Philippine Revolution, while August 30 is the anniversary of the founding of the city of Mandaue.
I decorated Speaker Albert with the Ancient Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu last night before the dinner.
Today I spent attending to political conflicts and releases of funds—up to 4:30 PM when I had lunch.
Then rested and played golf at 6:00 PM after the rain.
Attended to the funding of the campaign and the schedules. While Imelda talked to some congressmen on our 8-0 plan for the senators, I talked to Mayor Bangon Aratuc and his son Tomatik on the MIM [Mindanao Independence Movement] and Cotabato polities.
I am convinced he is not connected with the MIM and that he has been sincere and honest with us.
He is disenchanted with [Salipada] Pendatun and Gov. [Simeon] Datumanong.
He agrees with me that they are using the disorders in Cotabato to advance their political ambitions.
I also met Atty. Max Llorente who was ambushed in Tarlac and still limps. He is ready to work against [Benigno] Ninoy Aquino [Jr.].