Some of our own leaders have misgivings about calling an election both for local leaders and the Interim Batasan Pambansa. But I believe it is time to do so. Next year may be economically worse for the world and the Philippines with it. The presidential mandate this...
1977
November 7, 1977
I am now convinced that the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front] and their individual leaders have no intention of honoring the ceasefire nor of agreeing to a mere solution of autonomy in the whole of Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan. I am also...
November 5, 1977
Arrival of Imelda at 6:10 PM from the U.S. She has been away since Sept. 25, 1977 on the following missions: To deliver and explain the letter I wrote to Pres. [James] Carter on the military bases and other military problems. It presents a new concept for...
October 14, 1977
I have approved the plan to hit the main camp of the MNLF [Moro National Liberation Front] at Taban at the boundary of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur—about 90 kilometers Northeast of from Zamboanga City. There have been attacks by Al Caluang on Anonang then...
October 10, 1977
Presentiment or precognition about Usman Sali. BGen. Teodulfo Bautista with 34 officers and men were massacred at the Danag marketplace, Patikul, Jolo Island Sulu today. He was on a mission of peace as he was invited to a conference by Usman Sali presumably for a...
August 30, 1977
National Heroes Day My paper on Breaking the Stalemate on the Sabah claim has just come out in full in the press. I have not written of it, but because of the Sabah claim, one of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Ombra Amilbangsa, husband of Piandao Kiram,...
July 30, 1977
Macapagal and company ([Lorenzo] Tañada, [Jovito] Salonga, [Francisco] Rodrigo, [Eva] Estrada Kalaw, [Tecla] San Andres Ziga included) refused to attend the public hearings, reiterated their attacks on the “architects of the martial law administration,” but submitted...
June 27, 1977
Veterans Memorial Medical Center We confirmed oil at Nido South (Palawan) by electric log at 10:10 PM as reported to me at 11:00 PM, while I was taking dinner, by Ronnie [Geronimo] Velasco. About 146 feet of oil bearing limestone. They will now drill to the target of...
June 21, 1977
Upon his written request, I talked to Ex. Sen. Benigno Aquino today at 12:15 to 2:00 PM in the presence of Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile, Sec. Francisco Tatad and Solicitor Gen. Estelito Mendoza. I am amazed at the brashness of this man although he shed tears in the presence...
June 20, 1977
Now I know why the United States is slowly withdrawing its forces from Asia. As the briefing given us by the State Dept., the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] and the military indicates, they do not believe that there will be any hostilities in Asia, the Soviet Union...