December 25, 1972

[1] Official Gazette for December 26, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS sent a message for “Day of Peace” to His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, through the Philippine ambassador to the Vatican in Rome. The message reads: “My countrymen and I join in the laudable personal crusade of Your Holiness on behalf of world peace. Peace is possible—but not until the terrible race for military supremacy is permanently halted, and not until justice is conferred on the third of humanity which continues to be deprived of their just share in the bounty of the world. “Our task today is two-fold: first, to help create the institutions through which all men of goodwill could collaborate in solving the ills which afflict mankind; and second, to undergo the necessary purification of spirit in order to combat the pessimism which beclouds our efforts to complete man’s programs for peace. “To this two-fold task, of which Your Holiness is the acknowledged prime mover, the Filipino people extends its warm-hearted support. May the Lord in this Holy Season bless the efforts of your Holiness to establish a universal peace based on justice and may these efforts find a willing response in the hearts of men everywhere.” AS OF DECEMBER 19, 1972 a total of 67,432 members of the GSIS and the SSS have availed themselves of the medicare benefits, Chairman Pacifico E. Marcos of the Medical Care Commission announced. Dr. Marcos said that the GSIS and the SSS medicare departments paid a total of P15, 170,511 for services rendered to medicare patients—P5, 320,783 by the GSIS and P9, 849,728 by the SSS. The average claim per patient was P227.48. Payments were made to hospitals, doctors and drugstores. Collection of contributions for the health insurance funds or medicare funds for Program I beneficiaries (GSIS and SSS members and their dependents) was started in January, this year. Total collection as of December 19 amounted to P88,159,811. Dr. Marcos said “this is a good indication that perhaps within 1973. Phase One or Program I can be expanded to include all legal dependents of SSS and GSIS members.” STUDIES ON THE feasibility of transferring the domestic shipping port from North Harbor in Manila to an alternative site in Southern Luzon was directed by President Marcos. An alternative port for domestic shipping is being considered in view of the increasingly felt need to decongest the port facilities in the Greater Manila area. FINANCE SECRETARY Cesar E. A. Virata announced that there are now a total of 9,294 defective scales and other instruments of weights and measures either confiscated or sealed in public markets by provincial, city and municipal treasurers and BIR men. The latest report on the number of defective instruments of weights and measures confiscated or sealed was reported to Secretary Virata by 18 provincial treasurers and 23 city treasurers who confirmed the rampant use of such defective weighing instruments and measures in public markets and other places of trade and commerce in their respective localities. Section 289 of the National Internal Revenue Code penalizes any person who uses such defective instruments of weights and measures by a line of not less than P200 nor more than P4,000 or by imprisonment for not less than three months nor more than two years, or both, at the discretion of the court. BRIG GEN. Jose L. Rancudo, Philippine Air Force commander, ordered the immediate airlifting of all information materials on the proposed Constitution for distribution to places which cannot be reached by land transportation. The PAF chief said that information pamphlets, and brochures on the forthcoming plebiscite were given priority so that the people would be informed before they make their final decision on Plebiscite Day. LIBERAL PARTY congressmen, mayors and other local leaders were commended for joining the national campaign for ratification of the proposed Constitution, “thereby subordinating their political interests to the larger demands of duty to their people.” The commendation came from Dr Guillermo C. De Vega, chairman of the National Ratification Coordinating Council Secretariat, who added: “Only by the explicit identification of our political action with the national interest can we lay aside bitter partisan strifes and bring our country out of the divisive tendencies of the past.” The other day, nine LP congressmen and almost all LP governors, mayors and councilmen endorsed the approval of the proposed charter, declaring it to be “good for the general welfare.”

[2] Official Gazette for December 27, 1972: GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL extension officers are now campaigning for the planting of vegetables which can be canned or preserved. This move is aimed at averting the possible oversupply of certain kinds of vegetables causing the lowering of prices to an unprofitable level. Prod by the Green Revolution project of the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, thousands of housewives, youths, employes and other people have turned backyards into lush vegetable gardens. These amateur gardeners have planted almost the same kind of vegetable—the fast growing leafy type like pechay, cabbage, lettuce and others, which do not last long. To keep the enthusiasm of the new vegetable raisers alive, government fieldmen are helping gardeners to switch from leafy to fruit vegetables which can be preserved for future use. Among such vegetables are ampalaya, eggplant, cucumber and others which can be made into pickles, as well as mungo and some beans which can be kept without preservatives until they are needed. CONGRESS SHOULD CONVENE in regular session on January 22 as provided for by the present Constitution, according to Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal. Section 9, Article VI of the present Constitution provides that the “Congress shall convene in regular session once every year on the fourth Monday of January, unless a different date is fixed by law . . . . ” Speaker Villareal suggested that with the postponement of the plebiscite, Congress should convene. However, the House leader said that since the country is in a state of emergency and under Martial Law, “there should be sincere cooperation and coordination between Congress and the Executive Department. “I would suggest, Mr. Villareal said, “that Congress act in consonance with present circum stances and may pass measures certified by the President, which would strengthen the ability of our government to cope with the present emergency and to develop a New Society.” SOME 17 POLLING places located in the barrios of Isabela were ordered transferred to the poblaciones by the Comelec upon recommendation of local election registrars who reported that most of the inhabitants m these barrios had moved out to the poblaciones as a result of military operations launched by the government against rebel groups. Chairman Jaime N. Ferrer said the Comelec may make similar moves with respect to polling places in several barrios in Cotabato, Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte where resurgence of unrest were also recently reported. SOME 118 insurgents and sympathizers reaffirmed their loyalty to the government before military and municipal officials in a ceremony held near the Death March monument in Capas, Tarlac. The surrenderors who came from seven barrios in the formerly insurgent dominated towns of Concepcion and Capas, Tarlac, took their oath of loyalty before Brig. Gen. Tomas Diaz, 1st PC zone commander. Their surrender was arranged by Capas Mayor Gerardo David and Bamban Mayor Pedro Mendiola. Their surrender brought to 415 the total number of surrenderors in four weeks in Tarlac alone. IMPORTANCE OF FARMERS, dairy men and rural broadcasters in bringing about the success of the New Society, was cited by Secretary of Public Information Francisco S. Tatad. “We need to produce more and we can do this by disseminating scientific methods of farming and production to make our economy more viable and more stable,” Secretary Tatad said in an extemporaneous speech before the Rural Broadcasters Council which conducts daily programs for farmers from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on scientific farming and production methods. Mr. Tatad was in ducting official of the new set of officers of the council. PRESIDENT MARCOS sent a message of condolence to the widow of former U.S. President Harry S. Truman who died after a long illness. The message: “The Filipino people join me in extending to you our deepest sympathy in your hour of grief. President Truman served not only the American people during his years in the presidency; he also stood for the rest of the world as a worker for peace among- peoples and among nations. Even in time of war, he never allowed the aggression of others to diminish his concern for peace and justice. His passing has deprived all of us of a great leader and a good man. We will always remember him as a sincere and devoted friend.”

[3] Official Gazette for December 28, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS underscored the role of religion in the drive for reformation under the New Society. Speaking before thousands at the Ilocos Norte mini-expo which was held simultaneously with the celebration of the Fourth Centennial of the Christianization of Ilocandia, the President said that the symbol of Christianity which has guided the lives of generations of Filipinos have a vital role in the drive for reformation because the principal aim of the program for change is change in the heart, change in the mind, and change in the spirit of man. Among the countries represented in the fair held in Laoag City were Australia, India, Egypt, Spain, Japan, United Kingdom, Indonesia United States, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Canada, Ghana, France, Germany, Korea, Sri Lanka and South Vietnam. THROUGH THE EXPANDED fish production program under the New Society, the Bureau of Fisheries initially stocked 29,500 bangus finger-lings in Lake Lanao last December 8 to 10. The initial stocking was the first release of the 1.5 million bangus fingerlings targeted for dispersal in the lake. It is expected to replenish the stock of Lake Lanao and to boost the sustenance fishing of all fishing towns bordering the lake and to rehabilitate the means of livelihood of the Muslims in Lanao del Sur. SOME 200 UNITS of irrigation pumps worth P1.2 million acquired by the Presidential Arm on Community Development from reparations will be turned over to the National Irrigation Administration to centralize the irrigation development program of the country. For the past four years, 2,600 units of irrigation pumps valued at P30 million were made available by the PACD to as many farmers and farmers’ associations. Since 1968 the PACD has been distributing low-cost irrigation pumps to farmers in various parts of the country to increase their production. UNDERSECRETARY Rosendo R. Marquez of the Department of Local Government and Community Development also revealed that some 54,590 assorted community projects have been completed the past several years with the use of some P116 million from the Rural Improvement and Community Development Fund (RICDF). “More RICDF-funded projects numbering 12,016 are still under implementation,” Mr. Marquez said. “The completion of some 24,001 projects has yet to be reported.” EXTENSION OF MEDICARE benefits to some 30,000 government employes who originally were not considered eligible to membership under Medicare Program I or the medicare plan for members of the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System and their dependents—was announced by the Philippine Medicare Commission. These employes, most of whom have temporary appointments, constitute the optional members of the GSIS who were deemed as not embraced in the definition of an employe under the Medicare Law. Their insurance policy numbers are prefixed either with the letter “M” or “G”. ONE OF THE PRIORITY projects of the government is a 130-kilometer highway which would relieve congestion in the Metropolitan Manila area by opening up vast lands in the eastern region. Named the “Marcos East-West Road,” the project will start in Marikina, Rizal and end in Infanta, Quezon. It will traverse the Sierra Madre mountains. This road is considered important as it will disperse eastward population and industry now congesting the Manila area and thus help solve the twin problems of traffic and pollution. It also traverses developing commercial and residential areas and vast agricultural lands, aside from the Sierra Madre mountain range which is rich in mineral deposits. STARTING JANUARY 1, 1973, all persons applying for residence tax certificate “A” will be required to attach their identification photographs on the original copy of their residence tax certificates. Certificate “A” will be issued in a new form and in duplicate, the original of which will be issued to the taxpayer. It will be issued by the city and municipal treasurers instead of by the Bureau of Internal Revenue as it was done in the past. Other requirements are correct name, taxpayer account number, address, place of birth, date of birth, sex, weight, civil status, occupation and/or profession, GSIS or SSS policy number. It shall be the duty of every individual who takes the oath of office, receives any license, certificate or permit from any public authority, pays any tax or fee, receives any money from any public fund, or transacts other official business, or receives any salary or wage from any person or corporation, to exhibit his residence tax certificate. NEW MORALITY NOW pervades among the officer and employes in all the bureaus and agencies of the Department of Finance. This is the year-end report of Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata who observed that Proclamation 1081 brought about an abrupt decrease in the number of reports on alleged harassment, extortion and other highly irregular activities in all bureaus and agencies of the department. “The employes are now courteous where there used to be arrogance. There is office discipline and sincere efforts to serve the public where there used to be “indifference.” Secretary Virata also said that since the proclamation of Martial Law, 1,005 officials and employees of the department and its bureaus and agencies were either dismissed or separated from the service. EFFECTIVE LAST DECEMBER 12, foreign technicians were no longer allowed to come into the Philippines to work in a wholly or partly nationalized trade, business or industry without previous approval by the Office of the President or the Commission on Immigration and Deportation. The economic fields covered by the restriction are retail trade, mining, oil exploration, transportation, agriculture, exploitation of natural resources and the specific trades, businesses and industries reserved by law for Filipino citizens. WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS joined ranks with the Department of Social Welfare to launch a massive Get Out and Vote Campaign for the coming plebiscite. Organized under the Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines, the women’s organizations; numbering about 60, pledged their support of the campaign which is co-chairmanned by Leticia P. de Guzman, CAWP president, and Social Welfare Secretary Estefania Aldaba Lim who represents the government women’s division. According to Mrs. De Guzman, “women’s civic organizations being what they are and what they stand for cannot ignore this historic event in our country.” Thus, she added, the CAWP recognizes and accepts the challenge to women to take an active part in the plebiscite. The CAWP will emphasize the need for all qualified voters to cast their ballots on plebiscite day regardless of whether they are for or against the proposed Constitution.

[4] Official Gazette for December 29, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS issued a decree extending the tax amnesty for untaxed motor vehicles to January 31, 1973. The new decree, which he issued upon arrival in Laoag City shall, subject to certain conditions, clear the taxpayer of all criminal responsibility by reason of the non-payment of the correct duty and tax on such motor vehicles after the duty and tax shall have been paid pursuant to this decree. The decree provides that a 50 per cent and a 75 per cent across the board deduction will be allowed on the duties and taxes collectible by the government on vehicles transferred from tax exempt persons/entities to non tax exempt persons/entities, or such vehicles where the correct taxes and duties have not been collected, depending upon the year models of such vehicles. FINANCE SECRETARY Cesar E.A. Virata said that the good international credit standing of the Philippines has been maintained because of the judicious management of public debt and the payments thereof on time. In a year-end report, Mr. Virata said that the government has managed its public debt judiciously and met the payments thereof when due or upon demand and in some cases restructured certain obligations on reasonable basis. The secretary said the the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended the Philippines for the efficient management of its public debt. SOCIAL SECURITY Administrator Gilberto Teodoro announced that 35,000 SSS housing loan borrowers will enjoy substantial savings because of the reduction of insurance premiums, both life and non-life, effective January 1973. Mr. Teodoro said that negotiations with the pool of insurance companies duly accredited to do business with the SSS have resulted in a reduction by 50 per cent on the fire insurance premiums of mortgagors and an across-the-board reduction by 25 per cent on mortgage redemption life insurance premiums. The reduction in insurance premiums is in addition to the removal of the Home Financing Commission guaranty of one per cent. Qualified housing loan borrowers can now apply up to 90 per cent of the value of their collaterals at six per cent interest instead of the seven per cent previously charged on HFC-guaranteed loans. RICE RETAILERS were warned not to violate official price ceilings. The warning was given by the National Grains Authority which learned that some retailers, particularly in the Greater Manila Area, were selling fancy rice varieties beyond ceiling price which is P3 per ganta. Retailers were reported also to have mixed government rice with commercial stocks and “wet” rice to increase its volume or weight before it is sold. The NGA warned that violations of price ceilings and engaging in unfair business practices in the sale of staple cereals are subject to stiff penalties and disclosed that inspection teams have been fielded at these unscrupulous rice merchants. The public is asked to report to the NGA violations or irregulaties committed by retailers. INTERNAL REVENUE Commissioner Misael P. Vera announced that under the new tax code, payment of fixed and professional taxes should be made only once for the whole amount due on or before January 31 This means that all persons must first pay the corresponding fixed or professional taxes before engaging in any business or before practicing their professions. MILITARY UNIT commanders were warned against the indiscriminate issuance of curfew passes following reports of an increasing number of persons moving about outside of their residences during curfew hours. In a directive sent to all zone commanders, task force and provincial commanders, Gen. Ramos also ordered intensified operations against curfew violators. He said that the increasing number of persons moving about curfew hours will also increase the security risk to the objectives of Proclamation 1081. POSTMASTER GENERAL Felizardo R. Tanabe warned the mailing public to watch out for fake one-peso airmail postage stamps. The airmail stamps were issued by the Bureau of Posts on June 24, 1971 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the City of Manila. The design features a red sunburst at upper center area, at lower left hand a crescent and star, at right hand side a sea lion holding a cross,; and at the bottom of the stamp is, a symbol of the Pasig River and “Nilad” plant at each end of river.

[5] Official Gazette for December 30, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS issued the following message on the occasion of the 76th death anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal: “The light of recent events in our country brings new significance and import to the life and example of Dr. Jose Rizal. “In a certain sense, we are engaged today in the realization of national aspirations to which Rizal first gave life and hope. He dreamed of a good society in which a people knew solidarity and identity, and in which everyone shared in peace, justice, dignity and prosperity. “He did not live to see that society come into being, but it is the unique opportunity of those who have come after him to see this dream take root in our time in our country. “On this 76th commemoration of his martyrdom, no more fitting homage can be made to his memory than that we affirm anew this new faith: in ourselves and the new purposes we have in common of making over our common life.” RIZAL WANTED the Filipino people to have a new sense of identity as a nation and to instill in them a consciousness of their capacity for excellence, believing that education and enlightenment will emancipate them toward progress. These sentiments were voiced by Secretary of Public Information Francisco S. Tatad who was the keynote speaker in a community forum on “Rizal and the New Society,” sponsored by the Rizal Day Civic Participation Committee. Dwelling on the difficulty of simplifying; the national hero’s diverse gifts, talents and scope of writing, the secretary said that Rizal’s “principal field in his political writing is practical politics—how to change an oppressive order into one that would bring about the healthy development of the Filipino race.” INTERESTED PARTIES may now file their applications for entrance to promotional-level examinations granting police eligibilities to be conducted on August 26. Polcom Chairman Crispino M. de Castro announced that the examinations will be given for the ranks of Patrolman First Class/Detective, Police Corporal, Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant, Police Captain, Police Major, Police Lt. Colonel, Deputy Chief of Police and Chief of Police, for both chartered cities and municipalities. Deadline for the filing of applications by current members of local police forces is April 2. They must file direct to the Polcom central office at Delta Bldg., West Ave., Quezon City, or to the nearest Polcom regional training center. For non-members who have to undergo preliminary screenings on March 17-18, application papers must be filed with any of the police departments serving as Polcom screening centers, handcarried or postdated not later than March 16. PHILIPPINE MEDICAL CARE COMMISSION (PMCC) in a year-end meeting decided to extend medicare coverage to all legal dependents of members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS). In effect, Medicare Program I will already cover 20 million Filipinos or one-half of the country’s population. Their coverage, however, cannot take effect yet on January 1 but definitely the additional beneficiaries will be enjoying the benefits in early 1973. SALARY WARRANTS (Type A) of government personnel can now be cashed with the Bureau of the Treasury on Saturdays during regular banking hours from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to National Treasurer Vicente P. Rodriguez, who said that the bureau will maintain a substantial personnel force on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. RESULTS OF satellite observations made by engineer-scientist of the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office and the Board of Technical Surveys and Maps (BTSM) disclosed that the location of 14 islands in the Cagayan de Sulu, San Miguel and Muligue island groups as chartered in Charts Nos. 4348, 4707 and 4200 of the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, are out of position. BTSM Director Marcelino S. Tabin had previously reported that Cagayan de Sulu Island is out of position. His latest report said that three groups of islands, together with numerous rocks and shoals are all possibly charted 1.63 N. miles east of their correct positions.

[6] Official Gazette for December 31, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS created citizens assemblies in all barrios, towns and cities in the Philippines to widen the base of citizen involvement in the democratic process. Creation of the assemblies was embodied in Presidential Decree No. 86 issued on New Year’s Eve. The citizen assemblies brings into the active political process all citizens of the Philippines at least 15 years of age. It is an improvement over the constitutional proposal that seeks the enfranchisement of 18-year olds, and the provision of the Revised Barrio Charter, Republic Act No. 3590, that provides for the barrio assembly consisting of all persons who are residents of the barrio for at least six months and who are 18 years of age or over. “STRICT NEUTRALITY” in the coming plebiscite on the proposed Constitution, was enjoined by the Commission on Elections on all its officials despite the general rule allowing government personnel to campaign for either “yes” or “no” vote. In explaining the order, Chairman Jaime N Ferrer and Commissioners Lino M. Patajo and Jose Mendoza said active participation in the campaign for either side by those connected with the Comelec “might adversely affect their image as impartial officials charged with the enforcement of election laws and thereby lessen their effectiveness, as such.”