Worked on “Notes on the Reformation of Philippine Society” from 7:30-11:00 AM. Tentative script being typewritten. Am not content with it.
Then worked on the [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] case with Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile USec [Catalino] Macaraig [Jr.], Sec. Kits [Francisco] Tatad and Asst. Sol. Gen. [Conrado] Limcaoco, Lupo Gutierrez and ______.
Official Gazette for August 28, 1973: THE PRESIDENT ordered the creation of a panel of investigators composed of three lawyers, to be appointed by him, upon the recommendation of the director of mines, to investigate and make reports and recommendations concerning conflicting or adverse claims, protest and others involving mining claims, rights, leases or permits. In Letter of Instructions No. 119, the President directed that the hearing of these conflicts shall be conducted within one week after the issues are joined. The investigation shall be summary in nature, to be finished, if possible, in one sitting. The director is ordered to call for all adverse claims to be filed (even in cases now pending) so that the conflict can be decided with binding effect for all.
THE GOVERNMENT’S tax collection drive in foreign countries where Filipinos are residing has garnered some P31.2 million for Fiscal Year 1972-73. Reports reaching the Bureau of Internal Revenue show that the international tax information campaign of the Department of Foreign Affairs explaining to overseas Filipinos the compelling reasons behind the promulgation of Martial Law and the establishment of the New Society has elicited overwhelming response, according to reports from different Philippine consular missions abroad. The reports stated that thousands of Filipinos enthusiastically paid their income tax returns and other taxes to the BIR through the various consulates and embassies within their respective areas.
THE PRESIDENT has issued Presidential Decree No. 280, authorizing the Food and Drug Administrator to order the closure, or suspend or revoke the license, or any drug firm found administratively to have violated laws and regulations governing the sale or dispensation of prohibited drugs and other substances. Presidential Decree No. 280 observes that while the “state wages a relentless campaign against drug addiction,” this effort of the Government has met with “frustration” because prohibited drugs, medicines and other substances are still being sold and dispensed with by some drug establishments in violation of Republic Acts Nos. 3720 and 6425, otherwise known as the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. Owners of erring firms shall be given opportunity to be heard in the summary administrative investigation.
THE PRESIDENT has given the Philippine Medical Association and its sister organization, the Philippine Medical Women’s Association authorizations to conduct fund drives for the continuance of their respective medical projects. Issuing two separate proclamations Nos. 1171 and 1176, the PMA was allotted one year (from September 1, 1973 to August 31, 1974) campaign period, while the PMWA was granted seven months (from September 1, 1973 to March 31, 1974). The President has enjoined all government officials, military personnel, private and public school authorities and students as well as citizens to support the projects.
ANTI-Smuggling Action Center, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, seized P136,934,572.93 worth of contraband items in Fiscal Year 1972-73. This was reported to Secretary of Finance Cesar E.A. Virata by General Pelagio A. Cruz, Anti-Smuggling Action Center (ASAC) chairman. Topping the list of apprehensions which resulted in the additional assessment of P72,364,946.22 was technical smuggling. Second was the apprehension in the illegal export of logs which amounted to P39,548,200.75.
THE PHILIPPINES’ export earnings from fresh bananas during the first seven months of the current year totalled P87.2 million and exceeded by some P22.1 million the total earnings for the same period last, year. In a report submitted to Agriculture Secretary Arturo R. Tanco Jr., Plant Industry Director Eliseo C. Carandang said that from January to July this year, the bureau exported 201,675,710 kilos of fresh bananas to Japan worth P87,255,146 and overshot by P22,119,531 the P65,136,615 registered from the same period in 1972. This year’s seven-month figure also exceeded the one-half mark of last year’s total earnings which was P127,786,489.
Dictated the Adm. Order for a reinvestigation. Copy attached.
Although I would prefer to send the case outright to the civil courts from the military commission. However this is objected to by Sec. Ponce Enrile as this may open the military commission to doubts and questions of probity and fairness.
Then worked on the problems of mining and oil exploration, shipping, the new Muslim provinces in Cotabato and Sulu and routine paper work.
The question was asked in the statement of Aquino in his Monday opening statement before the Military Commission as well as by a justice of the Supreme in the Sunday hearing of the prohibition case as to why the cases were not filed against Aquino several years ago.
Asst. Sol. Gen. Lupo Gutierrez replied that this was one of the reasons for the proclamation of martial law and the creation of the New Society. It was impossible to mete out justice under the Old Society.
More specifically Aquino had liquidated witnesses against him. And it was only this year that Commander Pusa (Benjamin Sanguyo) surrendered and the government could fulfill the two witness rate. Pusa also revealed the leads that led to the discovery of evidence against Aquino.
And the decision to file the cases against him was arrived at only when on or about September 1972 the evidence indicated that Aquino had actually been using his office to obtain information for the subversives and immobilize the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] in their operations against the rebels.