Official Gazette for February 1, 1973: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Juan Ponce Enrile underscored justice as the overriding goal of the New Society, saying that “it is only when we achieve justice for all that we can truly say that we have succeeded in the reformation and transformation of our society.” He also called on the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to continue to live up to the expectations of the people, especially in assuring them of speedy, fair and equal justice. Speaking at the cornerstone-laying ceremonies of the Luis Torres Hall of Justice in Camp Aguinaldo, he pointed out that “any abuse of authority on the part of the members of the armed forces or any injustice they may render will ultimately prove detrimental to the whole enterprise.”
BRIG. GEN. FIDEL V. RAMOS, PC chief, reminded all firearm holders to surrender their unauthorized and excess firearms not later than Feb. 28, or be charged under Presidential Decree No. 9. The penalty for the offense, upon conviction, is imprisonment for a period ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment. The following are classified as unauthorized firearms: cal. .22 centerfire Magnum, cal. 357 mm Magnum, cals. 41, or pistols higher than cal. 38. Gen. Ramos said that the possession of any of the above-described firearms by any individual, other than members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on active duty, police officers, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, and guards of the Bureau of Prisons, provincial and city jails, is prohibited by General Order No. 22, dated January 17, 1973.
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE Vicente Abad Santos invited the public to air their views on proposed presidential decrees aimed at carrying out the provisions of the new Constitution. Mr. Abad Santos, who presided at the meeting of the Cabinet Coordinating Conference, said that the Cabinet members decided to organize themselves into committees to study the proposed decrees for submission to the President. The Secretary said that priority will be given to comments regarding the decrees implementing the land reform program, and decrees on economic development. He said interested parties may contact the chairman of a committee to get copies of the proposed decrees and to submit their views on them.
SECRETARY OF INFORMATION Francisco S. Tatad urged the banking industry, as the leaders of finance, to help accelerate the momentum that will ensure the renewal and growth of “our social, political, and economic integrity.” Mr. Tatad stressed that as part of the reforms instituted under the New Society, Presidential Decree Nos. 71 and 72 were promulgated after careful study, analysis, and objective deliberation. “You now have—in these decrees—a charter that fully activates the banking sector as a potent catalyst in realizing the economic goals of the New Order—a healthier, more sure, more productive and more responsive Filipino,” the secretary said. He pointed out that what the—administration is trying to achieve is a just social order in which the banker will not be held suspect for his just profits, just as the daily worker will not be held in contempt by those who pay him his wages. The DPI Secretary assured the BAP that the government will do all it can to strengthen not only the banking system, but also the primary Filipino interests in the industry. According to him, the government has decreed that the voting stocks be increased from 60 per cent to 70 per cent Filipino, except in certain cases. “We have sought to purify not only the. administrative machinery of “the government which deal with the industry, but also of the banks themselves, by prohibiting the occupancy of sensitive positions in these institutions by politicians and others, not expressly prepared or qualified for such positions. The government will continue to encourage the growth of this policy,” the secretary said.
GENERAL MANAGER Roman Cruz; Jr. of the Government Service Insurance System reported that some 330 GSIS employes have been separated from the service for various offenses since the imposition of Martial Law, and also mentioned the different reforms to improve the systems’ service to its members. He added that another innovation to be implemented shortly is the delivery of retirement checks to the claimants in their respective homes in the Greater Manila area to save them time and avoid inconvenience, especially on the part of the old retirees. The GSIS general manager disclosed that since two years ago the System has initiated 31 group housing projects throughout the country and the latest of these were finished and awarded last month to qualified members. He said the goal of the GSIS is the construction of 37,000 housing units in the entire country and 6,700 of these have been awarded since the project started two years ago.
MALACAÑANG OFFICIALLY placed the operations of pawnshops under strict supervision to protect small borrowers left unserved by the banking and, other financial institutions of the country. A presidential decree signed by President Marcos has declared it a policy of the state “to regulate the establishment of pawnshops and to place
Attended the mass at the PGB [Presidential Guard Battalion] chapel for Commodore [Rudiardo] Brown.
Why do the good die young? He was so dedicated to the service and to me he practically abandoned his family. Left no worldly goods for his widow and five young children.
So I am more than ever decided to organize the corporation for veterans and their dependents—it is unfair that they offer everything for their country and are not appreciated for all the sacrifice.
Tonight I visited Don Quintin Paredes at the Carmel Church. He died two days ago at an accepted 88 although he must be five years older.
I’m working on my files and the papers and decrees on forestry and mining. As well as the reorganization of the NICA [National Intelligence Coordinating Agency] into the NISA [National Intelligence and Security Authority].
I attach my orders to look into the reported funding by CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] of our intelligence organization and projects being initiated by CIA.
their operations on a sound and stable basis to derive optimum advantages from them as additional source of credit.” Under; the decree, no new pawnshops shall be allowed to operate if their paid-up capital is below P100,000. Existing pawnshops with deficiencies in paid-up capital have to comply with this minimum capital requirement within such time as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board. The decree also provides that only Filipino citizens may establish and own a pawnshop organized as a single prioprietorship. In the case of partnership, at least 70 per cent of the capital stock shall be owned by Filipino citizens while in the case of a corporation, at least 70 per cent of the voting capital stock shall be owned by Filipinos. In non-stock corporations, Filipino citizens should comprise at least 70 per cent of the voting members. The decree authorizes the Central Bank to issue rules to carry out the provisions of the decree, and to require from pawnshops reports of condition to determine compliance with the provisions of the decree and the implementing rules, as well as to exercise visitorial powers whenever necessary. The decree provides a fine of not less than P100 and not more than P1,000, and an imprisonment of not less than 30 days and not more than one year for its violation.
RURAL BANKS were asked by the Central Bank of the Philippines to extend production loans to graduates of the agricultural skills training program sponsored by the National Manpower and Youth Council in collaboration with other government agencies. Together with the financial assistance asked of them is the technical assistance in the proper utilization of loans and in the marketing of produce. This agricultural training program is aimed at helping the government attain socio-economic progress in the rural areas, through modern farm methods and formation of cooperatives.
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