Official Gazette for January 22, 1973: PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT Marcos of the ratification of the new Constitution has been welcomed by local governments to continue their role as effective partner of the national government in working for the people’s welfare. This view was expressed by Gov. Isidro S. Rodriguez of Rizal as guest on Channel 13. The Rizal governor said that the local governments can effectively work in partnership with the administration because the local governments are the ones in “direct communication with the people and are, thereby, in a position to relay to national officials the immediate needs for “accelerating economic growth.
PRESIDENT MARCOS exhorted the officials and employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform to strive with all their enthusiasm, fervor and capability to accelerate the land reform program. The President gave the exhortation during the oath-taking of the directors of the bureaus under the department who, along with some 17 foreign affairs officers, were the first government officials to take their oaths of office before the President under the new Constitution. The President, at the same time, enjoined some 90 volunteer doctors and nurses who were leaving for the rural areas, to spread the gospel of the New Society, that “each and everyone of us is his brother’s keeper.” The President received the members of the medical teams which will attend to the health needs of people in remote localities without pay for one month. He asked the volunteers not only to give medical care but also to involve the people, particularly the youth, in the formation of cooperatives, wholesome recreation, family planning, nutrition and community development.
CUSTOMS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER Pedro Mendoza reported that the amount of P6,371,324 has been collected from previously untaxed motor vehicles as of Jan. 22, 1973. In the port of Manila alone, about 1,500 motor vehicles were already registered in compliance with Presidential Decree No. 52 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 52-A reducing by 50 per cent taxes on motor vehicles on 1970 to 1972 models, and by 70 per cent 03 1969 and below models. On previously untaxed income or hidden wealth, the BIR has collected as of Jan. 22 a total of P1,133,534 representing 10 per cent of more than P11 million already reported to the BIR as previously undeclared income or hidden wealth. The deadline for the tax amnesty on previously untaxed income or wealth is March 31, 1973.
THREE SURVEY MISSIONS—the Japanese survey mission, World Bank Economic Mission and the Labor Mission—are at present in the country to look into the country’s development program with particular emphasis on local projects that could be funded with foreign aid and to examine the trends and problems on employment opportunities in the Philippines. The Japanese mission headed by Akio Suzuki of the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of Japan, arrived last Jan. 15 to discuss with Philippine government officials the country’s four-year development program and possible projects for submission to the Japanese government for aid financing. This mission was sent here in connection with the Japanese foreign aid commitment of $75 million made during the World Bank consultative talks held in Tokyo last year. The World Bank group headed by Russel Cheetham will examine the trends relating to production, employment, public finance and balance of payments and will assess the Philippine external aid requirements. The labor mission led by Dr. Gustav Ranis came here to study labor and general development policies with the view to expanding employment opportunities.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS, including constitutional officers, who were exempt from taxation under the 1935 Constitution are now subject to tax under the new Constitution. According to Bin Commissioner Vera, this means that constitutional officers such as the justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and other appellate courts, judges of the courts of first instance, the Court of Tax Appeals and similar quasi judicial bodies, judges of city and municipal courts, and also the Auditor General and others, must not only pay income tax but also the annual occupation tax more popularly known as the professional tax. Commissioner Vera directed all revenue officials, especially collection agents, to remind all those affected, to comply with the new provisions of the 1972 Constitution by paying their professional tax on or before Jan. 31, 1973.
TOTAL OF 27 AMNESTY teams have been organized in seven provinces m Mindanao to conduct the initial processing of surrenderors who wish to avail themselves of the amnesty under Presidential Decree No. 95. PC Chief Ramos said the amnesty teams were organized in each of the PC company headquarters in the provinces and cities covered by amnesty proclamations. The incumbent commanding officer of the PC company in each particular area was designated amnesty team leader while the PC headquarters was made amnesty reception center where the surrenderors will be processed and given conditional amnesty.
The petitions against the ratification of the new constitution have been dismissed by the Supreme Court but the court has opened the question of validity by calling for new petitions to be filed directly raising the issue of validity.
I place in Envelope XLII-B the decision, the news report in Times Journal which distorts the decision and my statement.
The decision may push us to a revolutionary government as it erodes my authority and credibility.
Bob Shaplen of the New Yorker interviewed me this morning.
Then I met with the Agrarian Reforms Directors and Asst. Secretaries, the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] promoters and the volunteer medical workers in the rural areas.
PRESIDENT MARCOS has issued Presidential Decree No. 101 expediting the methods in prescribing, redefining, or modifying the lines and modes of operation of public utility vehicles in the Philippines through the Board of Transportation. The decree notes that in the Greater Manila area, and in the bigger towns and cities and the main roads connecting them, there exists serious traffic congestion and disorder that have been causing accidents and delays in travel, which are highly detrimental to public safety and convenience and to the functions, of commerce, industry and government. The decree likewise notes that in many parts of the country, due partly to inadequacy of transportation facilities, there have abounded unauthorized operators of public utility motor vehicles (colorum and kabit) which have clandestinely operated in violation of the penal provisions of existing law, rendered unregulated, unsafe or substandard service, put up unfair competition to legitimate operators, and deprived the government of a considerable amount of taxes and fees.