I met with all the leaders of organized labor with 27 federation heads present. They committed themselves to the unrelenting fight against the oligarchs, the freezing of regular gasoline prices even if premium gas is increased, the lowering of Meralco [Manila Electric Company] rates which were increased by the Public Service Commission headed by Com. [Enrique] Medina, the dismantling of monopolies, combinations and cartels that control prices, the passage of a strong anti-trust law and the review of franchises that give special privileges and more social justice legislation.
But they asked everyone, including myself, that there be a common pledge of no withdrawal from the fight. “Patayin ang umurong!” Which we did solemnly.
Now we tie up all the farmers’ organizations and the Socialist Party under [Ignacio] Lacsina.
Official Gazette for January 16, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS continued to receive support and encouragement from various sectors of society in his determined effort to throw out the pressure groups and return the government to the people.
Close on the heels of a group of labor leaders representing 1,200,000 workers and farmers throughout the country, a 500-man delegation from Pasay City, headed by Francisco Piga, marched to Malacañang in order to give their pledge that whatever happened they will support the President in his fight.
Addressing the marchers, the President said that he was encouraged even more to pursue the fight until the country is rid of the evil influence of pressure groups.
“Now is the time to start and in this fight there will be no retreat,” he said, adding, “You can rest assured I will go on fighting so that the country will prosper and the people will have better opportunities.”
Earlier in the morning, the President met a group of labor leaders who discussed with him the problems of labor and presented a resolution supporting the new orientation of the government toward the dispersal of monopolies and oligarchies and an intensified program to alleviate the condition of workers and the average citizen, and protect their legal rights.
Among the leaders who called were: Roberto Oca, Andres Dingsalan, Jr. and Gerry Quadra of the Pinagbuklod ng mga Manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Israel Bocobo of the Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions, Cesar Legayada and Leonardo Agting of the Federated Unions of Rizal, Tony Diaz of the Philippine Social Security Labor Union, Fred Fajardo and Jess Gentiles of the SSS Employees Association, Bonifacio Bayhon, Efren Aranzamendo and Domingo Sta. Ana of the Federation of Free Workers, Francisco Nora of the Communications Workers Federation, Mario Rosal and Melanio Calor of the Federation of Democratic Workers, Tony Policarpio of the NLU, Vicente Arniego of the National Labor Union Congress, Amorito Cañete, Januario Seno and Eduardo Nolasco of the Philippine Congress of Trade Unions, Oliver Germendo, Eulogio Lerum and Max Cortez of the Philippine Labor Unity Movement.
The Chief Executive also received courtesy calls from Chief Justice John Kerr of Australia, who was accompanied by J. H. Wooten secretary general of LAWASIA; and Phra Manuoet Vernoulart, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Thailand.
Aside from these calls, the President received no other visitors the rest of the day except Gen. Mark Clark (retired), who made a courtesy call. Gen. Clark is the chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He arrived in Manila to visit cemeteries for American servicemen and to confer with U.S. military authorities in the Philippines.
In between these calls, the President did his desk work, scanning over official papers needing his attention.
The Acting Chairman of the group was Roberto Oca, President of the Pinagbuklod na Manggagawa ng Pilipinas and the Acting Secretary, Tony [Antonio] Policarpio the Vice President of Atty. Lerum in the [National Labor Union].
Cipriano Cid was represented by Atty. Israel Bocobo.
The labor leaders left Malacañang to meet outside so that it may not be said that they were herded and dictated to in Malacañang. Then they returned to present the resolution to me.
I attach the resolutions of the labor leaders.
After a conference with Justice Antonio Barredo, former Solicitor General who handled the increase of Meralco fares for the government, with Sol. Gen. Felix Antonio and Sec. of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, as well as Solicitor ______ who is handling the case now, we have decided that Com. [Jose] Evangelista will order the Auditor General to look into the books of Meralco to determine their income under the increased rates, then on the basis of the new facts and the fact now discovered by me (from Justice Barredo) that the motion for reconsideration was never tried by the Public Service Commission en banc and therefore cannot be appealable, the Public Service Commission will ask the Supreme Court to which the increase was appealed, to allow the Public Service Commission to reassess the rates anew.
Also met the CAA [Civil Aeronautics Administration] squatters who came to Malacañang to reaffirm their support for me in the fight against the oligarchs.
I attach pictures of these.