[p.5] Some people asked me why I have given away my earthly possessions. I invariably answered that I did not need them but that the people did.
But I have been asking myself why has the world become so vile, so materialistic, so dirty. All is pragmatism, selfish and unedifying. Why is there no more tenderness—all sex? Why is there no more charity—all malice? Even the clergy has become self-centered. They do not sacrifice for sacrifice’s sake but for self-gratification like the seven bishops who had their appeal to me published in the front pages of the metropolitan dailies. If their motivation was sincere change, they could have come to me first—but they sought publicity first. The worst part is their premises were all false, I hope from ignorance not malice.[1]
During the war in some critical phase of a battle I always asked myself what could I do which others dare not do and which would change the tide of battle.
Now after the 1965 elections I kept asking myself this—until I decided that giving my properties to the people was the answer.
[p.6] This would be exemplary. No one dares to do it.
It will change the tide of the times.
Instead of pragmatism—compassion.
Instead of words—deeds.
Instead of self—the nation & humanity.
And I gather this has been the effect in the capitals of the world.
Satisfying but I must exert effort so I am not myself dragged into self-glorification. I remember after the war I concealed everything about my medals. I wish I could do a similar anonymity now.
[p.7] Finalizing the [Marcos] Foundation papers. Accounting is more difficult than I thought.
Princess Tarhata Kiram and her husband gave me a memo tonight on their alleged mistreatment by the Phil Govt [Philippine Government] and their wish to deal directly and not thru the Phil Govt. As always they also asked for pocket money.
Birthday party in San Juan (Ortega) of Alita Romualdez Martel[2] who is now ___[37 years old]___?? The Romualdezes who are all on the substantial side all had an electrocardiograph. Poor Dits [Dr. Juanita Zagala] had a tough time.
Boni Serrano[3] just died from heart attack. Have to go and see his body in Camp Crame chapel tomorrow.
Had Dr. [Douglas] Chamberlain to check me—all well. My blood pressure after golf –112/80. 7:00 PM Dr. Chamberlain has been called to attend to [Eugenio] Iñing Lopez [Sr.] comatose in a hotel lobby in Tokyo and again in Manila from hypoglycemia (no sugar in the blood). Bad luck!! He is recovering.
Tomorrow, the politburo prisoners are released. Have ordered that they be placed under surveillance. The Peking-trained kids have organized a New People’s Army in Tarlac under Arthur Garcia.
[p.8] Am collecting the reactions to my disposal of all my properties to the people.[4]
Some are sanctimonious, supercilious, patronizing (Imee loves to repeat these newly discovered words) frauds. [5]
I fear for our country. There is not one among the younger generation whom we can build up as President. Among the Nacionalistas, [Gil] Puyat and [Fernando] Lopez are too old, [Arturo] Tolentino has a background of promiscuity, [Jose] Diokno is self-centered and lacks humility. Among the Liberals, [Gerardo] Roxas is a weakling, [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] is a congenital liar, a braggart and a compulsive chatterbox, [Genaro] Magsaysay is brainless, [Jovito] Salonga is [a] petty pompous sanctimonious fraud.
MALACAÑANG
[1] Marcos took the statement of the Catholic bishops as a commentary on his first term in office. Part of the text reads: “ We are at a moment of our nation’s history when we crucially need a charismatic leader, a deeply moral person whose honesty and integrity are beyond reproach, a President who will inspire us to be really one in action and national consciousness. We need a leader who will not tolerate graft and corruption, self-enrichment, vote-buying and goon-hiring which make a mockery of democracy, almost unlimited over-spending for campaigns, a real social crime especially in a country like ours. We need a deeply Christian leader who will be the moral conscience of our other political and economic leaders. And we ask you in the name of God to be such a leader. ”
[2] Younger sister of Imelda Marcos.
[3] Venancio “Boni” Serrano (1922-1970) was the most bemedaled soldier of the Korean War in the 1950’s. Santolan, a major MetroManila Road, was renamed in his honor. The PNP Headquarters and a military camp in his hometown Masbate have been named after him.
[4] Ernesto Granada in his Manila Chronicle column: “ President Marcos unprecedented act of giving up his wealth is perhaps the greatest humanitarian gesture in land since Jose Rizal threw his other slipper into Laguna de Bay . ” Jose Balein commented: “ What was left anyway after elections…We are sure that many Filip i nos if elected twice to the presidency, would not hesitate to do what he has done.”
[5] Manila Chronicle, 3 January 1970 devoted two pages to reactions of various people on the donation of Marcos’ assets to the Marcos Foundation. Elvira Manahan quoted Imee asking IRM “what will happen to all the crockery? [Porcelain collection] IRM replied “That will also go.”