[Continuation of this entry on Marcos conversation with his children missing]
…himself when he writes down a resolution. And it will be harder to break it when you have written it down.”
“I had to change many habits when I became President. Even at my age.”
And I told him [Bongbong] of my cutting out work after lunch, a nap and then golf or exercise—all upon the advice of the doctor.
And in school, I had to cut out too much athletics because I had lost my scholarship (academic).
The talk seemed to do him good. And in the afternoon I had him come to [Bahay] Pangarap where I was playing golf after he came from the dentist where they put his braces on, and we visited the horses and the dogs together, joked together.
Then we tried out the Ingram pistol submachinegun 9 mm (short) with the silencer at the bull ring.
And it was time to go and bid him good-bye.
I did not take any shower or have a massage, so we could have family pictures at my table and the music room.
I worked the whole morning on the Foreign Trade Zone—its housing, titling of lands, roads, expansion etc.
Then on housing, BOI [Board of Investments] (Cesar Langa] and Amb. Greg Abad who is here on consultations) and the legislative program which I must present to the congressmen tomorrow.
11:10 PM January 11, 1972[1]
Tuesday
I issued Proclamation No. 890 lifting the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus throughout the Philippines except with respect to those who are presently detained under Proclamation No. 889—and amendments thereto.
This was prompted by the issuance of a warrant of arrest against 39 of the accused including one detainee. Since, however, the five other detainees are still facing a hearing and the warrant of arrest has not yet been issued, I included the exception.
This was in accordance with my announcement made before New Year.
The typhoon “Asiang” that started two days ago, has caused about 200 deaths and extensive damage from floods in Leyte. As well as other Visayan provinces.
Gov. [Benjamin] Cocoy Romualdez has just arrived from Leyte. All the roads are completely wrecked.
And our calamity fund is completely exhausted.
The whole morning, noon and afternoon up to 4:00 PM I spent with the senators, congressmen and governors and mayors whom I invited to a caucus.
I suggested that all the leaders of the party resign, a junta of younger men be organized to lead.
[Gil] Puyat, [Jose] Roy, [Arturo] Tolentino, etc. were for retaining the old junta which means they will continue to run it.
But the members were unanimous in the plan to strengthen the party by reorganization—the junta to be chosen by the directorate not by the officers.
Then we must be self-sufficient in our respective districts and provinces—even in the propaganda effort.
I said that we lost the propaganda war because we have done well as a party but that the dissemination for information had broken down.[2]
Mr. Wollahon [John Wolahan] of Caltex, this noon, confirmed the fact that FNCB foreclosed on Rubicon for its $7 million loan on which there is a $3 million delinquency but upon the guaranty of Caltex the loan was restructured up to March this year but it is expected that [Benigno] Benny Toda [Jr.] will not be able to pay the delinquency.
Caltex prefers to have a Filipino group to take over the PAL [Philippine Airlines]—but not Benny Toda who has lost his credit as he has been withdrawing property from PAL. Example was the PAL building paid to Calsilles for unpaid insurance premiums.
We are now looking at the financial standing of PAL itself. It owes Caltex alone about P17 million.
11:10 PM January 12, 1972[3]
Wednesday
We are establishing diplomatic relations with Romania and Yugoslavia in accordance with the trend to “open new windows” to the world.
This was recommended by the Foreign Policy Council after listening to the Security Council with a briefing by Gen. [Fidel] Ramos on the Security aspect of the opening of diplomatic relations with the Socialist Countries.
I attach the papers on the meeting.
I also met the retiring generals for lunch at ISAPF [Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)], created the center to help exservicemen and announced the new assignments:
As Chief of Staff—Maj. Gen. [Romeo] Espino
Vice Chief of Staff—Brig. Gen. [Rafael] Ileto
Chief of PC [Philippine Constabulary]—Brig. Gen. [Fidel] Ramos
Chief of Air Force—Brig. Gen. [Jose] Rancudo
Flag Officer in Command, Navy—Commodore [Hilario] Ruiz
Commander Phil. Army—Gen. [Rafael] Zagala
1st PC Zone Commander—Gen. Tomas Diaz
4th PC Zone Commander—Gen. [Wilfredo] Encarnacion
I met the leading delegates on the parliamentary question for dinner at [Bahay] Pangarap.
Today there are charges of payola by Malacañang to the Concon [Constitutional Convention] delegates for the parliamentary system. Some newspapers mentioned “ten thousand reasons” for the change of front [government?] from presidential to parliamentary form of government
So Delegate [Casimiro] Madarang [Jr.] issued a statement charging that the charges of payola was [were] made by the Osmeña delegates after a meeting last night with the senator-elect John Osmeña.
12:00 PM January 13, 1972[4]
Thursday
Met the governors and the congressmen the whole morning.
Lunch at the house of Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal where we discussed:
The reorganization of the entire government
The RCO (the Rural Cooperative Office) with an appropriation of P150 million.
The congressmen as usual are bent on getting releases of public funds for their district.
They have approved the plan to increase the income of government by P1.2 billion but they want it for public works.
Met the Mindanao delegates to the Concon [Constitutional Convention] for dinner. Again I told them I expected them to become members of the new Assembly.
11:15 PM January 14, 1972[5]
Friday
Finalized the budget, the reorganization of the Armed Forces and the Bureau of Customs.
My vertigo has not improved notwithstanding the histamine shots by Dr. Cua Lim.
And I felt pain in the chest muscles. So I have been resting. I intend to rest the whole day tomorrow.
This morning we worked on the Commodity Loan agreement projects, the foreign policy aspect of the State of the Nation and the investments from the Private Investment Board of Asia, a consortium of Banks from U.S., Canada, UK, Japan, etc.
10:25 PM January 16, 1972[6]
Sunday
Conference on the retraining and remotivation of the offices specially having to do with the barrios and the towns.
Scolded the men a little as apparently the men in the field have lost their motivation and are not as dedicated as they used to [be].
Then there must be an information campaign not only for the people but for the government offices and employees themselves. They cannot be motivated unless they are well informed.
Imelda took over. And they are reviewing the expenses which have resulted in no progress in propaganda work.
Joe Frazier won over [Terry] Daniels on a 4th round TKO [technical knockout]—no match. Broadcast by satellite TV over KBS [Kanlaon Broadcasting System] Channel IX.
Slept 1-4:30PM. Resting from a bout with fatigue.
When I talked to Sen. [James] Buckley, I told him that the visit of Pres. [Richard] Nixon may ease tensions generally but it will not help us in our primary problem—that of internal subversion. Visit or no visit I do not see the Red Chinese lessening their support for wars of liberation. On the contrary the detente may release resources of Red China for communists in countries like the Philippines.
10:25 PM January 17, 1972[7]
Imee and Irene left at 7:10 PM by PAL [Philippine Air Lines] for London. Now the palace is going to be blue and lonely again.
I have become very irritable because of confinement to bed. Slept up to 5:00 PM this afternoon. Then brought the girls to the airport although the doctors had misgivings about my walking around specially in the windy cold atmosphere of MIA [Manila International Airport].
Sec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] has closed the 300 tons of Bangkok rice at $80 a ton, 40% in cash and 60% at credit terms of 10 years to pay, 3 years grace and 7½% interest. The 40% may be financed by Arula Sakul, a Filipino of Thai nationality (15 years at 9% interest). Then we may be able to get from 60,000 to 100,000 tons of Red Chinese rice through Hongkong at $5 less per ton bartered with coconut oil.
There seems to be a rice shortage and for that matter a sugar shortage throughout the world. And the weather seems to have radically changed. The typhoons in December are a novelty.
We have just been informed that the Ford Co. has finally decided to put up a multi-million dollar plant to manufacture car bodies for cars in the Free Trade Zone at Mariveles.
The decision of Mr. Henry Ford II and the Company’s Board of Directors on Friday Jan. 14th was conveyed by letter by the local Ford Co. Mr. C.A. Foran, president and general manager.
I attach his letter.
I just signed an increase in tariff rates as recommended by the NEC [National Economic Council].
I have pushed the lethargic efforts at oil exploration.
And assigned Ex. Sec. Alex [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] to follow up all projects so I will be free to work on basic plans and reorganization.
10:00 PM January 18, 1972[8]
Tuesday
Worked on the State of the Nation address and the information campaign.
It seems that all the newspapers are going to pool their resources to fight the parliamentary system being debated in the Concon [Constitutional Convention]—all because they believe I am for it.
The negotiations on the Phil-Indonesian air agreement have bogged down. We must get Amb. [Modesto] Farolan to lead the Phil. panel and transfer the negotiations from Bali to Djakarta.
Tried putting around this afternoon. Much stronger now. And vertigo is slowly going.
Reorganization in AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the other departments still going on.
12:10 PM January 19, 1972[9]
Played golf at 7:00 AM with Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, [Roberto] Bobby Benedicto, Greg[orio] Licaros and Amb. [Toshio] Urabe. But I walked only for first two holes and rode on the golf cart the rest of the game. Could not hit too well—five over par.
But I was able to talk about the Treaty with Japan which Amb. Urabe and the Japanese government is greatly interested in having ratified by the Senate. I anticipated that the senators have reservations like the matter of fishing rights and territorial boundaries.
And press for the acceleration of the payment of reparations.
At 11:00 AM I met the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] regional directors and expressed appreciation for the work they have done in increasing tax collection by about P1 billion for the last year; savings and investment by 20%.
And that while seldom is there any expression of appreciation, I did for in behalf of the people. ·
“Public service is a thankless task. And often the public official must draw upon his reserve of idealism, resolution and patriotism to keep working.”
For seldom will contemporary observers encourage us. But instead denigrate and try to knock us down. Do not allow contemporary observers to dissuade you, provided we keep our “integrity.”
Administered the oath of office to Bobby Benedicto as ambassador to Japan, after the luncheon for Ex-Prime Minister Kishi.
The most uproarious oath taking yet.
Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat wants help from me for the senate presidency as [Arturo] Tolentino and [Jose] Roy are both after it. The Lopezes are favor of Tolentino.
11:25 PM January 20, 1972[10]
Thursday
Nationalist Chinese Foreign Minister Chao Shu Kai paid me a visit to assure me that there will be no negotiations with Red China on the problem of the two Chinas and to say that the US has repeatedly assured them that the US would abide by its commitments to Taiwan. But he sounded too talkative and loquacious as if he were trying to convince himself about what he was saying.
Sen. [Lorenzo] Sumulong, [Lorenzo] Teves, [Helena] Benitez, [Leonardo] Perez, [Rene] Espina and [Ernesto] Maceda came over on my invitation this morning. Sen. [Ambrosio] Padilla had to leave at 11:00 AM as he had an appointment. But there is an agreement to which the Nacionalista senators are parties (including Sen. [Arturo] Tolentino and [Jose] Roy) that there would be no jumping the fence and joining up with the Liberals.
But the three aspirants, [Gil] Puyat, [Jose] Roy and [Arturo] Tolentino would have a secret ballot on who should be the candidate for Senate President.
And inasmuch as there are twelve Nacionalistas (that includes Puyat and Roy) and thirteen including Tolentino, if they all agree to support only a Nacionalista candidate.
Inducted the officers of the Pulp and Paper Industries and the Rural Broadcasters Council.
The last group (of broadcasters who have been helping out in our rural development program) I intend to use for the development of cooperatives.
Asked Belek Madrigal to settle the case with his sister amicably. Seems difficult as he feels [Maria Luisa Madrigal-Vazquez] Ising’s husband, [Daniel Vazquez] Danny, is a greedy conniving man who is a “pre-conceived liar.”
Talked to [Geronimo Velasco] Ronnie and [Roberto Benedicto] Bobby about PAL [Philippine Airlines]. The Ayalas, McMicking and Enriquito Zobel are also interested, although Caltex Wollahan [John Wolahan] says he will deal with the group government chooses.
11:40 PM January 21, 1972[11]
Friday
Reports are repeated on the plans of the NPA [New People’s Army] to cause violence on or about the 24th of January (opening of congressional sessions).
I enclosed the intelligence reports.
Worked on the State of the Nation address. Am not contented. Too dry. Not inspirational.
Lunch for Dr. Barco, Executive Director of the World Bank.
Dinner for Pres. Takeshi Watanabe of the Asian Development Bank.
Imelda has gone to the birthday party of Ising [Maria Luisa Madrigal-Vazquez] (after the dinner).
Increased tariff on polyester fiber.
1:00 AM January 22, 1972[12]
Saturday
The Manila International Airport Terminal burned down this morning. It is a complete loss. And the Manila Control Tower including the communications equipment valued at P200 million was burned. The building costs P30 million.
When I visited it at 4:00 PM, it was still smoking.
I attach the reports.
We have just finished the State of the Nation address for printing.
Sen. [Jose] Roy has resigned as NP [Nacionalista Party] acting president so he can contest the presidency of the Senate within the party.
Most of the NP senators are apparently for the status quo, [Gil] Puyat as Senate President, Roy as Pro Tempore and [Arturo] Tolentino as Majority Floor Leader.
The speculations about the MIA fire ore to the effect that the CAA [Civil Aeronautics Administration] personnel who are guilty of having received ghost shipments of communications equipment tried to cover up the anomalies by the fire; or that former Collector Mascardo who was removed from MIA was trying to cover up illegal shipments, smuggling and other anomalies as Com. of Customs [Rolando] Geotina, before the fire had ordered an inventory of goods in custody or seized as well as an investigation of records.
Airport Manager Luis Tabuena says Friday morning he received a telephone call warning him to watch out about a possible burning of the MIA.
The man who slept at the Jumbo 747 of Northwest airlines says he heard an explosion when the fire broke out.
But intelligence reports made before the fire had warned of NPA [New People’s Army] plans to wreak havoc on or before Jan. 24. This could be part of the plans.
The quick spread of the fire indicates arson. The NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] is leading the investigation.
11:30 PM January 23, 1972[13]
Sunday
I have been busy on the State of the Nation address. Up to now the page proof is not yet printed. It may be finished at midnight. I attach the proof.
And we are busy cutting down the written text which may be about 150 pages to a 30 minute text. That would be about 20 pages. Right now it is 50 pages.
The 16th year reparations among other papers (including a new tariff increase as well as the promotions in the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the judiciary) kept me occupied up to 2:00PM.
Missed mass as after a nap, golf and a meeting with the Malacañang boys when I gave them a preview of the State of the Nation address and Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Gen. [Romeo] Espino and Gen. [Fidel] Ramos, I attended to the galley proofs.
Sec. Ponce Enrile reports Cebu City is keeping away all national agencies from the city. And the casinos and other places of illegal amusement abound in the city.
While I personally expect no trouble or violence in the opening session tomorrow, we have been warned of such possibility.
I attach a sample telegram from a certain Atty. Romero as well as the plans for tomorrow.
11:00 PM January 24, 1972[14]
Monday
The opening session of Congress turned out well although there was a demonstration of about 5,000 KMs [Kabataang Makabayan] who were rowdy and noisy although kept at the other side of the Padre Burgos street from the Congress.
The speech (I knocked down the the [?] about 150 pages of the written text to 60 pages of delivery text).
I believe the legislative proposals were received well.
But, of course, the Daily Mirror had nothing but criticism for me and my speech.
1:00 AM January 25, 1972[15]
Tuesday
The Japanese Economic Survey Mission arrived and paid a courtesy call on me at 10:30 A.M.
I attach briefing papers in Envelope XIV-C.
Met Don Manolo Elizalde on the problem of Elirol [Elizalde Rolling Mills] and IISMI [Iligan Integrated Steel Mills Inc.].
Then went to visit Estella’s (Romualdez Sulit) body at the [Sanctuario] San Antonio Forbes Park Church. Ate lunch at the Sago [street] house at Dasmariñas [Village].
Placated Bibit Duuvit, son-in-law of Sen. Jose Roy who has lost out in the voting for Presidency of the Senate.
Have been working on the Marinduque $20 million additional capitalization by DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] in common stock as well as the Mindanao Strategy for Development which I place in Envelope XIV-D. ·
The Iloilo situation has deteriorated. A policeman Longao has been killed by the men of Mayor [Rodolfo] Ganzon riding in two to five cars apparently using Zig submachineguns which were forcibly taken by Mayor Ganzon from the police armory some time ago.
I attach the messages.
Rep. [Fermin] Caram [Jr.] urgently recommended PC [Philippine Constabulary] control. I will wait for Col. [Emilio?] Narciso’s recommendation.
12:30 PM January 26, 1972[16]
Wednesday
[Geronimo] Ronnie Velasco bas just offered to buy out Benny [Benigno] Toda’s [Jr.] delinquent account and shares of PAL [Philippine Airlines] (74%) from Caltex.
I attach the offer.
It is made with my knowledge as the government does not want the PAL to fall into the wrong hands since GS1S [Government Service Insurance System] still owns 24% of the PAL shares.
We buried Estella R. Sulit at the Manila Memorial Homes. Well-manicured and elegant but costly, commercial and materialistic in an oily nauseating way. Mass at 8:00 AM. Then the funeral at 9:45.
After a snack at Sago [street, Dasmariñas village] where the Romualdezes are staying at.
Com. Yayabiin[?]—to inquire on the status of the documents of the Madrigals—with the request that he do what is right and that is for both parties to see the accounts.
Lunch with Sen. Mamintal Tamano. He claims Col. Gaddafi of Libya had said he could finance the revolution of the Muslims in the Philippines but that he (Sen. Tamano) convinced him that the Muslims are not interested in a revolution.
He wanted me to sign an executive order setting aside all public lands in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Cotabato,
And have ex Vice Gov. Kasan Marohambsar appointed CNI [Commission on National Integration] commissioner while Gen. Mameranta Lao could be appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,
But I insisted that we wait for [Mohammad] Ali Dimaporo who is in Mecca on the pilgrimage.
[1] Official Gazette for January 11, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS started on his day’s work by issuing two executive orders, one creating the Philippine Committee for the Establishment of the Asian Handicraft Center, and the other creating consumer cooperatives and consumer unions throughout the country. The President created the committee on handicraft center upon recommendation of the Philippine Committee on ECAFE Matters. As created, the Committee is charged with, among others, the determination of all requirements for the establishment of the Center in the Philippines, and implementation of the various matters taken up during the Second Preparatory Meeting held at Bangkok, on November 8 to 12, 1971. The creation of consumer cooperatives and consumer unions was embodied in Executive Order No. 363, attested to and issued by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. The order provided that the local cooperatives and unions “shall be composed of residents of specific areas in the cities, municipalities and municipal districts.” The Rice and Corn Administration is to coordinate the cooperatives program, and submit a list of nominees of the officials who shall be formally charged with the responsibility of implementing the policy. At mid-morning, the President broke off from his desk and conferred with Nacionalista members of the Senate and House, and a number of NP Governors to discuss the administration’s legislative proposals for the incoming regular session of Congress. Matters taken up at the conference held at the Pangarap Guesthouse included the funding for major government programs such as: peace and order, rice and corn, land reform, housing, electrification, infrastructure, including flood control, typhoon damages, cooperatives, rural ‘ employment, population control, postal services. Also discussed were plans for government reorganization, and how to achieve maximum efficiency of the government’s tax collecting machinery. The Chief Executive appealed to members of both houses of Congress to support plans which he intends to present for legislation in order to secure the necessary funding for government programs. He informed the legislators that he will submit plans to upgrade both the Philippine Constabulary and local police forces, underscoring the need to strengthen the PC, modernize its equipment, and rid local police forces of misfits and corrupt elements. The President also appealed to those present, and through them to the public, to help the government support its various programs by paying their taxes faithfully and promptly. Among those present at the meeting were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Senate Majority Floorleader Arturo M. Tolentino, Senators Helena Z. Benitez, Rene Espina , Ernesto M. Maceda , Ambrosio Padilla, Emmanuel Pelaez , Leonardo B. Perez, Lorenzo Teves and Magnolia W. Antonino, some 52 members of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Cornelio T. Viliareal and House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso, and some 26 provincial governors. Later in the evening, the President signed Proclamation No. 890, lifting the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus throughout the country, and emphasized that “the idea is to bring about normalcy as much as possible.” The President’s proclamation was in accordance with his statement on New Year’s day , when he first announced the imminent restoration of the writ privilege throughout the country.
[2] The third page [p.975] of this entry is missing.
[3] Official Gazette for January 12, 1972: FREE from his usual schedule of callers, the President presided over the joint meeting of the National Security Council and the Foreign Policy Council, held at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. The joint meeting discussed the matter of relations between the Philippines and Socialist and/or Communist countries. In line with the new trend in Philippine foreign policy to open ties with Socialist and/or Communist countries, the Foreign Policy Council unanimously decided that steps now be taken to establish diplomatic relations initially with Rumania and Yugoslavia. Present at the meeting were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Constitutional Convention President Diosdado Macapagal, Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Senate Minority Floorleader and LP President Gerardo M. Roxas , former Senator and NCP President Lorenzo M. Tanada , former Secretaries of Foreign Affairs Raul S. Manglapus and Salvador P. Lopez; Speaker Protempore Jose Aldeguer , Reps. Constantino Navarro and Nicanor E. Yñiguez , chairmen of the House committees on national defense and foreign relations, respectively; Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata , Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco , Jr. Executive Seci’etary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Press Secretary Francisco S. Tatad ; Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy- Changco , Defense Undersecretaries Efren Plana and Jose Crisol , Foreign Affairs Undersecretaries Jose D. Ingles and Manuel Collantes ; Julio Francia, Jr. and Miguel Arambulo, presidents of the Philippine Chamber of Industries and the Chamber of commerce of the Philippines, respectively; Sebastian Ugarte of the Philippines Herald, Hans Menzi of the Manila, Daily Bulletin, Ben Penaranda of the Manila Chronicle, Leon 0. Ty of the Examiner, and military top brass led by General Manuel T. Tan, AFP chief of staff. After the joint meeting, the President had lunch together with AFP general officers, who were soon to be retired from the military service. Back in Malacañang late in the afternoon, the President worked on state papers. He signed a proclamation declaring a state of public calamity in Leyte, in view of the widespread destruction to property and loss of lives in the province. The proclamation was issued upon recommendation of Leyte Governor Benjamin Romualdez, to prevent the excessive increase in the prices of essential commodities in the area due to profiteering and hoarding by those who control the supply thereof and also to enable the government and civic, relief and welfare agencies to carry out their objectives effectively. In another proclamation, the President fixed the period from June 19, 1971 to December 31, 1976 as the time for the filing of free patent applications and for the judicial confirmation of imperfect, or incomplete titles in the whole archipelago except in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Sulu, Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga- Apayao and Ifugao. Issuance of the proclamation was recommended by the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and pursuant to the provisions of Sections 45 and 46 of Commonwealth Act No. 141, which was amended by R. A. No. 6236.
[4] Official Gazette for January 13, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS received a number of callers early in the day. His visitors included National Integration Commissioner Mama Sinsuat and a number of senators, representatives and governors who took up local problems in their respective jurisdictions. Commissioner Sinsuat called to request approval of the release of P402,000 for the purchase of small tractors and other farm equipment for the CNI settlements in Lake Sebu, Surallah, South Cotabato, saying that these will be for the use of Bilaan, Tiruray, Manobo and Muslim settlers. Other received by the President were Senators Lorenzo Sumulong, Ambrosio Padilla and Leonardo B. Perez; Reps. Dupaya of Cagayan, Leopoldo Diaz and Angel Concepcion of Nueva Ecija, Vicente Cerilles Of Zamboanga del Sur, Rafael Legaspi of Aklan, and Constancio Maglana of Davao Oriental; Governors Cornelio Villareal, Jr. of Capiz, Ignacio Santiago of Bulacan, Jose B. Legaspi of Aklan, Arsenio Villarosa of Mindoro Occidental, Alfonso Umali of Mindoro Oriental, Salvador P. Socrates of Palawan, Jaime Gomez of Mt. Province, Elizabeth Marcos-Keon of Ilocos Norte. Later in the day, the President motored to the residence of Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal to attend a caucus of NP congressmen.
[5] Official Gazette for January 14, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS met with a long list of callers throughout the clay. First to be received by the President was Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, with whom he had lengthy discussions on legislative proposals which the administration would present to the regular session of Congress. Later, the President received M. C. Kunz, who called to pay his respects. Then the President welcomed Mrs. Anna Chennault, widow of the famed commander of the Flying Tigers of World War II, the late Gen. Claire Chennault. Mrs. Chennault, on a brief visit here, relayed a message from Mayor Sam Yorthy of Los Angeles, in connection with the inaugural cargo service of the Flying Tiger Airline. She was accompanied by Vicente Faustino, head of the local airline’s office. Also received by the President were the officials of the Private Investment Company for Asia, headed by Dr. Willen A. Van Ravestaijn, PICA president. The group was assured by the President of the receptiveness of the government to foreign investment in development areas of the economy. In the group were Yoshizane Iwasa, chairman; Colin Syme, vice chairman; Peter Wodtke, executive vice president; Harutsuga Makita, vice president; Hinoyuki Tamagawa, Mark C. Feer, A. O. Hartmann, Addison H. Kermath, Tadayoshi Yamada, James G. Bickford, John Hopkins, Makoto Yoneda, Louis C. Louvet, L. E. C. Letts and R. L. Hedrick. Another group the President received consisted of the officials of the North Trek Organization who called to pay their respects. Composed of young professionals from the Visayas, the group launched a ‘North Trek’ program, aimed at encouraging local tourists to know more of the Philippines, and to demonstrate that the RP-Japan Friendship Highway is safe. The group plans to negotiate the RP-Japan Friendship Highway by car in four days, starting from Zamboanga City on February 2. The President endorsed the North Trek project and enjoined government agencies to extend the necessary assistance and support to the 16-man team behind it. The North Trek officials who called were Joey Garcia, president; Tony Dumo, chairman; Rene Cortes, Salvador Escudero, Manuel Bautista and Manuel Timonera. In the evening, the President administered the oath of office to Gen. Romeo T. Espino as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, vice Gen. Manuel T. Yan who retired from the military service. The President also inducted Maj. Gen. Rafael Ileto, former Philippine Army commander, as vice chief of staff of the AFP, succeeding Gen. Espino in that post. The oath-taking ceremonies were witnessed by Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Gen. Yan, Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief; Brig. Gen. Rafael Zagala, the new Philippine Army commander; Commodores Dioscoro E. Papa and Hilario Ruiz, outgoing and incoming PN flag-officer-in-command, respectively: Brigadier Generals Jesus Z. Singson and Jose L. Rancudo, outgoing and incoming Philippine Air Force commanders, respectively; other ranking officers of the four major AFP commands, and the inductee’s kin.
[6] Official Gazette for January 16, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS did not receive callers during the day, except Secretary of Labor Adrian E. Cristobal, who reported on the reorganization which he undertook in the Bureau of Workmen’s Compensation. The President commended Secretary Cristobal for instituting a complete revamp of the bureau, which the labor chief initiated following the apprehension of one of its officials for alleged extortion. The President concentrated on desk work until evening.
[7] Official Gazette for January 17, 1972: HAVING no scheduled callers in the morning, President Marcos worked on state papers. He signed the appointments of 10 municipal judges and one clerk of court. On recommendation of Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, those appointed with their corresponding station of assignment were Gideon G. de Pedro for Malay, Aklan; Alfredo A. Rosero for Cambusao, Camarines Sur; Ligaya E. Lazaro for Noveleta, Cavite; Solomon A. Macoy for Aloguinsan, Cebu; Lucio G. Tan for San Isidro, Northern Samar; Benedicto N. Morton for Unisan, Quezon; Melecio L. Yap for San Ricardo, Southern Leyte; Perfecto D. Gatarman for Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte; Simon D. Encinas for Barcelona, Sorsogon; and Fidel G. Candari for Navas, Aklan. Appointed clerk of court of the Court of First Instance in Negros Oriental, Bayawan branch, was Felipe T. Torres. Towards noon, the President disengaged from his desk work to receive New York Secretary of State John P. Lomenzo, who called to pay his respects. The President was informed by the New York official that he was highly impressed by the economic potentialities of the Foreign Trade Zone in Mariveles, Bataan which he had visited. Secretary Lomenzo was here on a combined official and business tour of Southeast Asian countries. He was guest at luncheon later in Malacañang. Also during the day, the President called upon the men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to “be prepared to meet any insurgency which threatens to rob us of our freedom and to undermine lawful authority, and ultimately to bring about the downfall of the duly constituted government.” The President issued the call in a speech read for him by Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, at the graduation exercises of the Philippine Constabulary-METROCOM Counter-Urban Guerilla Course at Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija.
[8] Official Gazette for January 18, 1972: THE USUAL string of callers on President Marcos was not visible during the day. This enabled him to go over the letters of resignations so far received by the Chief Executive, preparatory to a thorough overhaul of the executive department and some offices under it. Letters of resignations received by the President as of this day are those from the members of the Cabinet, top officials of government-owned corporations, including the members of its respective boards. The President also issued a proclamation declaring certain days of this year as special public holidays in specific places. Declared special public holidays in connection with the observance of the centennial anniversary of the martyrdom of the three Filipino priests—Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, in the places indicated are the following: 1. January 20 (Thursday), in the province of Cavite and cities of Cavite, Tagaytay and Trece Martires. This day marks the Revolt of 1872, known as the Cavite Mutiny. 2. February 9 (Wednesday), in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The day is the 125th birth anniversary of Fr. Jose Burgos. 3. February 17 (Thursday), in the entire country. It is the 100th anniversary of the execution of the three priests. 4. August 2 (Wednesday), in Bacoor, Cavite. The day is the 173rd birth anniversary of Fr. Mariano Gomez. 5. August 14 (Monday), in the city of Manila. It marks the 137th birth anniversary of Fr. Jacinto Zamora.
[9] Official Gazette for January 19, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS had a private breakfast with former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi of Japan, who came here to attend the inauguration of the Philippine-Japan Society headquarters in Caliraya, Quezon. Kishi is the president of the society. Earlier, the President and the Japanese visitor played a round of golf at the Malacañang Park golf course. After the breakfast, the President administered the oath of office to Roberto S. Benedicto as Philippine ambassador to Japan, vice former-Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III, who had resigned. Among the hundreds present at the induction were high government officials, local business and industrial leaders, friends and close relatives of the inductee, including the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, Ambassadors Ramon Nolan and Gregorio Abad. Also present were former Prime Minister Kishi and the members of his party composed of Ambassador Kiochi Azakai, Setsuroso Kobayashi, Seiki Tozaki, and Wataru Mori. Later in the afternoon, the President met with Bureau of Internal Revenue regional directors and collectors. The group called on the Chief Executive in the course of their annual convention. He commended the BIR personnel for “establishing a record in tax collection which cannot be considered as something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of.” Even as the President lauded their remarkable accomplishment, he exhorted the conferees to “please always remind ourselves and our men in the field that the same enthusiasm, dedication, and discipline which are required in public service, is still demanded of us.” Those who attended the conference were Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata, Commissioner Misael Vera, BIR Deputy Commissioners Ambrosio M. Lina and Conrado P. Diaz, BIR Assistant Commissioner Bernardo D. Carpio, and 20 regional directors.
[10] Official Gazette for January 20, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS had a busy day with callers, which included the officers of the Rural Broadcasters Association of the Philippines (RBAP) and the Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association (PPMA), whom he inducted in separate ceremonies. In brief remarks before the RBAP officers, the President enlisted the organization’s assistance in the formation of at least one producers’ and consumers’ cooperative in every barrio. The President said that funds for the program will be included in the budget proposal. The pulp and paper manufacturers group informed the President that they can now produce all the paper needed by the country and 30 per cent of pulp requirements. The PPMA officers was headed by Zoilo M. Estrella, association president, while the new set of RBAP officers led by Paquito “Rey” Pacheco, RBAP chairman. After the induction ceremonies, the President received Prime Minister Chow Shu-Kai of the Republic of China who paid a courtesy call. The Chinese official was on a brief stopover enroute from an official mission to European and African countries. Minister Chow, conveyed to the President and the Filipino people the felicitation and gratitude of President Chiang Kai-shek and the people of his country, particularly for the Philippine support behind Taiwan in the councils of the United Nations. He also assured the President of his government’s policy to remove all sources of irritants in the close relations between his country and the Philippines. The President sent his best wishes to President Chiang and expressed the hope that the Chinese leader will continue to lead his people towards peace and prosperity. The President also took the occasion to discuss with the visiting minister the problem of the overstaying Chinese. Minister Chow was accompanied to Malacañang by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, Ambassador to Taipei Pelayo Llamas and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Patrick Pichi Sun. Through afternoon and evening, the President worked on state papers.
[11] Official Gazette for January 21, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS started the day working on state papers, and in the process signed the ad interim appointment of Gen. Manuel T. Yan, as Chief of Mission, Class III, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines. Gen. Yan retired recently as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. At midmorning, the President disengaged himself from deskwork to receive the credentials of His Excellency Said Kassim Rishtya as the new non-resident ambassador of Afghanistan to the Philippines. In presenting his credentials, Ambassador Rishtya said that although the Philippines and Afghanistan are far apart geographically, the two Asian nations share many things in common which bring them together, and that both countries have undergone “long and unrelenting struggle in maintaining and safeguarding national independence” and are “firm supporters of world peace and good understanding among nations.” Responding to the new envoy’s remarks, President Marcos noted “that the existing bonds of friendship between our two peoples have strengthened through the years and that this has been made possible by our common aspirational determination to safeguard and uphold the ideals of liberty, fraternity, and independence.” “My administration,” the President stressed, “looks forward to the intensification of cooperative efforts between our two countries in the field of cultural, trade, and commercial relations.” Among those who attended the ceremony were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Manuel Collantes, and Acting Secretary of Health Clemente S. Gatmaitan. In another ceremony later, the President conferred the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Lakan, on Executive Director Virgilio Barco of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in simple award ceremonies at Malacañang. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, read the citation which lauded Dr. Barco for hits “work in promoting better relations between the Philippines and Latin American countries” and his esteemed services to the government and people of the Republic of the Philippines,” in his capacity as executive director of the IBRD, International Finance Corporation, and International Loans Association representing the Philippines, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. After the ceremonies, the President tendered a luncheon in honor of Barco. Present at the rites were Secretaries Cesar E.A. Virata of Finance, David M. Consunji of Public Works and Communications and Arturo R. Tanco, Jr., of Agriculture and Natural Resources; General Manager Roman Cruz, Jr. of the Government Service Insurance System, Governor Gregorio S. Licaros of the Central Bank, Chairman Leonides S. Virata and Governor Leon O. Ty of the Development Bank of the Philippines, and Chairman Vicente T. Paterno of the Board of Investments. In the evening, the President tendered a formal dinner in honor of Dr. Takishi Watanabe, president of the Asian Development Bank.
[12] Official Gazette for January 22, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS started the day going over urgent state papers. He asked Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo to read for him a prepared prayer at the “Presidential Prayer Breakfast.” In that prayer, the President said: “To see men of different faiths and persuasions gathered thus under the same house, and to know that they are brought together by hopes and concerns they share in common, is to realize the extent to which we truly are one mind in one house, regardless of the diversity and differences of our individual creeds. “Today, we live in a world wracked by doubt and conflict; and increasingly we are confronted with the terrible realization that serenity and happiness seem to recede farther away as our science and technology bring us closer to our material wants.” The President concluded that “prayer is an education in fortitude as well as in hope, for it is in faith that we derive much of our energy and inspiration in the successful pursuit of our highest and greatest endeavors.” The President ended the prayer by asking those gathered to share in from the Book of Common Prayer: “Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations.” Later in the afternoon, the President inspected the Manila International Airport which was gutted by a dawn fire of still unknown origin. In the course of his 45-minute inspection, the President appointed retired Brig. Gen. Jesus Singson, as civil aeronautics administrator and directed him to immediately take steps to normalize operations at the Manila International Airport. Accompanied by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, the President was met and briefed by airport and aviation officials, including Acting Civil Aeronautics Administrator Epifanio Raymundo, MIA Manager Luis Tabuena and Brig. Gen. Jose Rancudo, PAF chief; and Director Jolly Bugarin of the National Bureau of Investigation. Following the briefing, the President ordered: 1) The National Bureau of Investigation, the Metropolitan Command and the Civil Aeronautics Administration as well as the Pasay Police Department to assign their investigating arms to look into the arson angle. 2) The Department of Public Works and Communications to survey the damage as soon as the building cools off, determine the extent particularly of the damage to communications facilities, and to survey possible sources of replacements. The President left the MIA for Malacañang at about 4:35 p.m.
[13] Official Gazette for January 23, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS did not receive any callers today but instead closeted himself in his private study to put the finishing touches to his State-of-the-Nation Message. Early in the evening, the President broke off from his study to hear Mass at the Malacañang chapel.
[14] Official Gazette for January 24, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS in his address on the State-of-the-Nation before a joint session of Congress at the opening- of its 100-day regular session, presented a 12-point priority program for an all-out drive against crime and stepped-up economic development. The President said that the 12 bills, together with other specific legislation that he outlined, are aimed at giving meaning to his democratic revolution. In his 55-minute speech, during which he reviewed what he called the “battalia of crises” which griped the country last year, the Chief Executive also expressed confidence that the nation will “not only stand but will also prevail.” “This nation stands, tested by adversity and deriving strength from it, summoning a fresh will from the continuing challenge that are the historical legacy of all struggling nations,” the President said. But the President added that the international and local developments were moving so fast as was the case 1971—that the Philippines would have to keep pace with developments if it was to survive. (See pp. 852-914 for full text of the President’s State-of-the-Nation message.) Earlier, the President received a Congress committee composed of Senators Mamintal Tamano, Genaro Magsaysay and Lorenzo Teves, and Reps. James Chiongbian, Calixto Zaldivar, Jr. and Joaquin Roces who informed him that the legislative body had convened and was ready to receive his message. Accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, and the Congress committee, the President arrived at the session hall at 11 a.m. as scheduled. The President and the First Lady were given a standing ovation. They were escorted in by Senate President Gil J. Puyat and Sneaker Cornelio T. Villareal. Among the top government officials present the session hall were Vice President Fernando Lopez; members of the Cabinet, the Judiciary, the diplomatic corps, and their ladies. Also present were Mrs. Josefa Edralin-Marcos, the President’s mother, and some provincial, city and municipal officials. The President and the First Lady were back at Malacañang about 12:30 p.m.
[15] Official Gazette for January 25, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS as usual engaged himself in his private study going over state papers needing his utmost attention, and only broke off to receive the members of the Japanese Economic Cooperation and Reparations Mission who paid their respects following their arrival. The mission came to evaluate the effects of the Japanese government’s economic cooperation program here and see in what way it can be further improved. It will also confer with government and private officials on all aspects of economic cooperation, including technical and financial assistance, reparations payments, direct loans and suppliers’ credit. During the call, the President conveyed through the group the gratitude and appreciation of the Philippine government and people to Japan for: 1) The credit assistance extended by Japan to the Philippines, particularly in the construction of the EP-Japan Friendship Highway, and for the commodity loan. 2) Japan’s quick response to the Philippines’ call for support and her leadership in the Consultative Group Meeting held in Paris last April, resulting in the immediate grant of the commodity loan to the Philippines. 3) Japan’s donation of 10,000 tons of rice for the typhoon victims last year. The President expressed the hope that the level of assistance of Japan to the Philippines be not only continued but increased under soften terms. The Japanese mission was accompanied to Malacañang by Ambassador Toshio Urabe of Japan. The meeting with the Japanese was attended by Finance Secretary Cesar E.A. Virata, Public Works and Communications Secretary David Consunji, Central Bank “Governor Gregorio S. Licaros, Chairman Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council, Director General Apolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, Acting Reparations Commissioner Anacleto Mangaser, Chairman Leonides S. Virata of the Development Bank of the Philippines, and Ambassador to Australia Gregorio Abad, the former chairman of the REPACOM. The President then conferred with officials of the executive department present at the previous meeting and told them to be deadline conscious about the various economic and social projects under their respective jurisdiction. The President said that each department should be able to establish target dates for the completion of particular projects and to meet such deadlines set by them. In this connection, the President ordered: 1. The Presidential Economic Staff to draw up a list of all projects previously approved by him and to report on the status of each immediately; 2. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. to check and report on the performance of the groups created sometime ago to supervise the planning and implementation of projects by various departments and offices. The President went back to his private study to continue on paper work. He issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, January 26 a special public holiday in the provinces of Lanao and Sulu, and in the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Basilan.
[16] Official Gazette for January 26, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS and the First Lady Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos attended in the morning the funeral of the late Ambassador Estela Romualdez Sulit, an aunt of the First Lady. The First Couple returned to Malacañang before noon arriving just in time for the President’s luncheon engagement with Senator Mamintal Tamano. In the afternoon, the President met with his legislative advisers. The President pushed his announced drive against crime another step forward by sending to Congress a number of proposed laws to curb widespread criminality. The bills seek to provide stiffer penalties for illegal possession of firearms or parts thereof and ammunition, and for violation of crimes relative to opium and other prohibited drugs; remedy the inadequacy of present laws on carnapping; include members of the Armed Forces as among those to whom licenses for the possession of firearms may be exhibited when called up to do so; and provide for free transmission of all mail matter involving data or information on crime, from provincial commanders to the Chief of Constabulary. With respect to the proposed law increasing penalties for selling or administering opium, the President pointed out that the crime is particularly “heinous because the victims include students, minors and young women, many of whom, because of the drugs, are forced to live a life of shame, misery and criminality.” The President worked on official papers in the evening.