[p.70] Met [Henry] Byroade who says we can pick up the tear gas next Monday. The dye will be forthcoming and he hopes he can divert to the Philippines three helicopters for Vietnam and two for Thailand. He says he has to fight the Vietnam priority.
Tonight I also met with Roger Arienda, one of my most bitter critics who has been leading demonstrations. He was brought by Col. Simeon Medalla. Of course he suggested
Official Gazette for February 7, 1970:
President Marcos presided over a meeting of the National Development Council and of the Cabinet. Convoking the development council for the first time since its reactivation last Jan. 11, to a luncheon meeting at the Pangarap guesthouse in Malacañang Park, the President impressed upon the Council members the agency of enacting price and rent control laws, and other measures designed to alleviate the conditions burdening low-income groups of the population. Due to the limited resources of the government, the President in consultation with the Council, drew up a list of priority projects for which special funds must be provided for prompt implementation. The programs chosen are land reform, peace and order, and housing. With the President as chairman, the council is composed of Congress leaders, members of the Cabinet whose departments are concerned with matters taken up by the Council, and presidents of all major political parties.
After the council meeting which lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the President crossed over to Malacañang proper where he presided over a meeting of his Cabinet. During the Cabinet meeting, the President decided to order the resumption on Monday (Feb. 9) of classes in public and private schools in the Greater Manila area which had been suspended by the Department of Education for one week. The President also took up with his Cabinet other urgent legislative measures, including the 1970-1971 budget which is due for submission to Congress on Feb. 10. Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco reported at the meeting that a balanced budget has been programmed in compliance with the instructions of the President. Next year’s budget will also include special funds for the implementation of the land reform program, the peace and order drive and other high priority projects.
In the evening, the President conferred with Brig. Gen. Vicente R. Raval who called at Malacañang to submit his resignation as chief of the Philippine Constabulary. The President accepted his resignation. He named Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, commander of the First Infantry (Tabak) Division, to succeed Raval as PC chief, and Brig. Gen. Rafael Zagala, First Military Area commander, to replace Garcia in the Tabak Division stationed in Fort Magsaysay, at Laur, Nueva Ecija.
In a message issued on the eve of Constitution Day, the President said:
“As we prepare ourselves for the constitutional convention of 1971, it is desirable that the nation involve itself in a dialogue of ideas that would lead to a strong Constitution embodying the best aspirations of Filipino nationhood. It is appropriate that all sectors of the population now participate in such a dialogue so that those who will take part in the convention will be able to bring to that convention the best ideas that have been refined and distilled in the forums of free expression and free speech. Today, as we observe Constitution Day, it is with a deep sense of gratification that I note the involvement of our youth in the effort to ensure a free constitutional convention, to make sure that it is not dominated by any single party, but dominated only by the people’s highest interest. “I am also gratified to note that at a time of stress, the Constitution has remained the best guarantee against abuse, and continues to serve as an instrument of social and political order during a time of tumultous manifestations and violent debate.”
that he puts up an office to receive complaints and funds to support the office. He now supports me.
Submitted to the National Development Council the priority legislative program as follows:
1. Price and Rent Control Law
2. Special funds for:
a. Land Reform
b. Peace and Order
c. Housing
3. Electoral Reforms
4. Tax collection improvement
[Salvador] Doy Laurel proposed the inclusion of judicial and penal reforms.
But they opposed the proclamation of all of Luzon as a land reform area allegedly for lack of funds to finance the tenants. We agreed to finance the existing land reform areas first. Otherwise we would lose further credibility
I had to tell the Senators and Congressmen that the demonstrators and the radicals felt that Congress was hopeless because it was moving along as slowly as usual and not acting as if there was a need for immediate change.
[p.71] Met with my cabinet to inform them that we had to meet the demand for change. So everybody held himself available for replacement. I have prepared a proposed revamp.
But in the Manila Times [Antonio] Pastelero, former UP Student Council President, follows [Fernando] Barican line that I should resign. So it is not constitutional reforms they want but a change of President. This should unmask them.
Manila Times has become impossible. [Joaquin] Chino Roces has become a juramentado. He asked the Umali group of farmers to join the demonstration on the 12th so as to get me to resign in three months. He must be a mental case as I always suspected. Manang Pacita [Maria Paz Madrigal-Warns] says he is trying to prove his manhood elsewhere as he is inadequate at home.
[Rodolfo] Rudy Tupas and [Emilio Aguilar] Abe Cruz who saw Imelda claim they will be able to stop him from inside the Manila Times.
Tupas was editor of the Sunday Times Magazine and Cruz was editor of the Daily Mirror. During the Martial Law years they were rewarded for their loyalty: Tupas was appointed Ambassador to Libya and Cruz as Permanent Philippine Representative to UNESCO in Paris.