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
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.
“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.