The parliamentary system again won in the Executive Power Committee without the Marcos-ban provisions by a vote of 20 to 14, one absent ([Augusto] Saguin) and four abstentions.
But the haters of Marcos will try to insert it tomorrow in the form of an amendment. The boys hope to get three additional votes and lose two to the haters.
I attach reports of Guimo de Vega.
Also attached is another previous report on the activities of the PKP [Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas] Politburo.
Town and Country is here to do a cover story of Imelda but they will do a day with the President.
Caltex will drill next May at the Sulu area. The other big companies are coming in.
Official Gazette for February 8, 1972: THIS IS a red letter day in the country’s history, as it brings back to memory the promulgation of the fundamental law of the land. In commemorating the event, the President issued the following message:
“We mark Constitution Day this year amid a unified national effort to write a new Constitution that will best embody our hopes and aspirations for a better life.
“Although the new Constitution should certainly carry features different from the original document, I am sure, at the very core, the new Constitution will pay allegiance to the same virtues, the same ideals, and the same principles that give life to our free Republic and our democratic way of life.
“We have reason to be particularly proud in the fact that whereas in other countries, Constitutions are disrupted and modified after the shedding of blood, peaceful order and democratic ceremony attend our present Constitutional effort.
“It is best perhaps that on this occasion our thoughts should turn to those who gave us present Constitution, while our prayers and good wishes go to the men and women who are trying to give us a new one. “It is also fitting that our people unite to support their efforts.”
The President’s activities for the rest of the day hewed close to schedule, with the morning devoted to desk work. Among others, he signed his Budget message to Congress, covering his proposal for the FY 1973 general appropriations.
The President devoted the afternoon to receiving callers.
Among his visitors were:
1) R. F. Johnson, president and managing director of Caltex (Phil.) who succeeded J.J. Wolahan as head of the gasoline firm. Accompanying Johnson on the call were Caltex officials led by Wolahan and Francis Ablan.
2) Mayor Silvestre Boma and the councilors of the new town of Imelda, Camarines Norte who sought financial assistance for their municipal projects, such as for the construction of a municipal building, roads and other public works, and for the purchase of firearms and ammunitions for the local police force.
In the evening, the President and the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, were hosts at cocktails, honoring the surviving delegates to the 1934 Constitutional Convention
I gave cocktails for the 1935 constitutional convention delegates with 1971 delegates and Justices as guests.
We can feel a perceptible change of public opinion in favor of the administration and a return of the faith of the people in government.
The turning point, I believe, was the unanimous Supreme Court decision on the Habeas Corpus case, the solving of the Plaza Miranda case, the State of the Nation address of Jan. 24, 1972, the stabilization of rice prices, the victory in the voting in the Concon [Constitutional Convention] against the Ban-Marcos resolution, the improved peace and order situation in Mindanao and the Metropolitan area and the aggressive crusade against criminality, private armies, compartmentalized justice and high prices as well as anomalies in government.
We must now improve the information dissemination efforts of government.
I have given [Francisco] Kits Tatad all the powers to do so.