Sprained the second smallest toe of my left foot last night playing golf. And Dr. Canto says it is positively a gout condition which any injury exacerbates.
So I have been immobilized the whole day and night.
Could only use the telephone.
Heard mass in a wheelchair. Have been moving around the room in crutches as any pressure might cause farther swelling.
Gen. [Manuel] Yan called up to say he was not informed of the retirement of the generals. He seemed to be sulking. I reminded him that we had been talking about retirement of all generals by January 15, 1971.
He was not interested in an ambassadorial position in Vietnam or Berne. Ayala made him an offer for an executive position some time ago.
I meet the generals on the 4th.
6:45 PM January 3, 1972[1]
Monday
Slept fitfully as I had the terrible nausea and loose b[owel].m[ovement].—the side effects of colchicine. Slept at 2:00 AM after taking aspirin with an anti-acid, Gelusil. Then woke up every two hours thereafter to go to the toilet. Then I have back pain and a feeling of general malaise.
The pain of my foot did not subside. So Dr. Canto, [Pacifico] Yap and [Juanita] Zagala[2] agreed to give me two tablets of aspirin four times a day. I started at 3:00 PM. The pain subsided.
Met Mayor [Ramon] Bagatsing at 5:00 PM.
Dictated the outline of the State of the Nation address to [Guillermo] Guimo de Vega at 12:00 AM.
Checked on developments on
Concon [Constitution Convention]—the half[-]baked parliamentary system
The rice imports
The Reparation
Steel Industry
Imee, Bongbong and Irene have gone to Leyte by plane this noon. I attach message on their arrival.
6:50 PM January 4, 1972[3]
Tuesday
Have been so weakened by continuous bowel movement that my voice is falsetto. I noticed lack of coordination of my muscles even of the tongue, very lightheaded feeling and drowsiness as well as heaviness of the body.
So I have been put on saturated carbon in capsules, paregoric, soda mint and even kaopectate. This has stopped the diarrhea.
And I cannot eat too much.
Blood examination this morning indicated low potassium (only 3 when normal is 3.5 to 5.5) due to elimination of potassium through the bowels. So I am taking liquid potassium and bananas.
The doctors say that this is the cause of my symptoms of body weakness.
Am now better tonight but still slightly weak. My left foot is still swollen and I cannot step on it with my full weight. So I am still using crutches. I said that I have an infected ingrown toe nail.
Met the generals both retiring and to be retained at 10:00 AM; indicated Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile to office as Secretary of National Defense.
We agreed to work out the plans
For the reorganization of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the Defense Dept.
Finally rectify the deficiencies in
Intelligence
Communications
Transport
Obtain or produce patrol craft, for the Navy, Air Force and PC [Philippine Constabulary]. The navy will start receiving the 65 footer 25 knots speed PCF’s [Patrol Craft Fast] from the US under Map [Military Assistance Program] this month. We will produce the hulls, the Air Force will use the amphibious S-16; and the PC motorized bancas.
Prepare a shopping list for surplus items that we may get from the U.S. surplus depots. According to USec. Manuel Salientes he has been able to get an informal acceptance by some unknown persons supposedly close to the administration for our buying $50 million worth of surplus items payable at 6% of book value and paying a 4% commission. A little underhanded. But if this is the only way we can protect our country we will close to procure the defense items.
We will not only meet the deficiencies in Item 2 but also build up our capabilities in aircraft manufacture and shipbuilding.
Procure some 3 systems of Gabriel missile including the boats for each at a cost of $8 million per system.
Imelda has gone to Leyte by plane to join the children. They come back tomorrow.
Talked to her by radio (SSB [single sideband]) and she says it is raining cats and dogs in Leyte. They had difficulty landing. I advised them to come back by boat if it continues raining.
11:35 PM January 5, 1972[4][5]
Wednesday
Stayed up the whole night Up to 7:00AM because of the pain in my left foot. But I read. I finished the book The Man[6]—the story of a negro becoming president of the U.S.—his impeachment and victory.
Then slept up to 12:30 AM when I was awakened by the kiss of Imelda who arrived from Tacloban (where it is still raining) with the children.
Slept again after lunch, a shower and meeting with the doctors (Dr. Canto) from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Then met the delegates to the Concon [Constitutional Convention] from the north. We spoke of their needs. And it looks like the parliamentary form of government and unicameralism will triumph.
Also saw Sen. Pres. [Gil] Puyat and Sec. Constancio Castaneda as well as Cong. [Eduardo] Danding Cojuangco [Jr.] who is worried about the NPA’s [New People’s Army] in Tarlac.
I attach an interesting letter of [Guillermo] Guimo de Vega.
10:50 PM January 6, 1972[7]
Thursday
This morning I met Sen. Tanaka, leader of the opposition in Japan and the mayor of the city of [left blank in MS.][8]
Worked on the reorganization of the Bureau of Customs with Com. [Rolando] Geotina removing Collector Mascardo from the MIA [Manila International Airport].
Then finalized the preparations of Bobby [Roberto] Benedicto before his departure for his Tokyo ambassadorial appointment.
Gave final instructions to Blas Ople, Dr. Orosa and Adrian Cristobal on the State of the Nation address. The international situation and the forces over which we have no control but which may adversely affect our country; the rending apart of the old structures of international relations (Red China admitted into the United Nations and in the Security Council); the U.S. slowly pulling back into what could be Fortress America, India; the old leader of the neutralists now openly joining hands with Russia against China and the U.S. and Pakistan; the transition from polarization to pluralization and the flexibility of the foreign policies of nations etc. etc.—these must of necessity affect us beyond our expectations.
And so has the monetary policy of the U.S., Japan, Germany, etc.—the big team—the revaluation of currencies.
We must also explain the limitations and constrictions that prevent the attainment of our objectives.
Ambassador [Henry] Byroade came to transmit the message of Pres. [Richard] Nixon before his visit to Moscow and Peking that there will be no agreement of mutual withdrawal from Europe, no political agreements and no arrangements above the hands of allies—that nothing unusual should, therefore, be expected from these meetings.
Then I met the Concon [Constitutional Convention] delegates from the Visayas.
The Concon committee on Legislative power chairmanned by Ex-Speaker Domingo Veloso has just noted for 11 parliamentary form of government by a vote of 22, 9, 2 (the 2 being abstention). The other committee (on Executive Power) should also report out a parliamentary system.
11:40 PM January 7, 1972[9]
Friday
Open House at 9:15 AM. Before that had breakfast with Sen. Barry Goldwater Sr. and his son Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., brought by Ambassador [Henry] Byroade by helicopter (our helicopter) from the airport (From 8:00-9:15 AM).
Then awarding of the prizes in the PACD [Presidential Assistant on Community Development]-Seato [Southeast Asia Treaty Organization] barrio development contest among the 33,661 barrios. First prize went to Barrio Lanno, Baugin, Ilocos Norte.
Inasmuch as the prices seem to be going up, we have closed the contract with Thailand for 60% of the 300,000 tons of rice import payable in ten years with 3 years grace at 7½% interest, the balance of 40% in cash (we are asking to negotiate the terms of the cash portion).
Exercised again this afternoon as I have felt no pain and I could stand up the whole day on the new pair of boots made by Frankie Teodoro (Ang Tibay) for me.
Am now taking colchicine four times a day with 3 aspirin tablets and 3soda mint (to alkalize my urine).[10]
Then met Sec. [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] on the conservation program for forestry, the financing of the rice production program (we have P208 million to be generated from the sale of still unsold RCA [Rice and Corn Administration] rice) and his resignation after May. I asked him to get a good undersecretary first.
I enclose his letter and my notes on the rice purchase.[11]
He assured me he has not gambled in any casino as claimed by the rumormongers. Women maybe but not dishonesty.
We are going to divide the country into big zones so that there may be forest reserves where no settlers may go in and reforestation can be pushed hard.
In the toasts for the Diplomatic Corps this morning, I spoke of man pushing the frontiers of natural science leaving behind the less progressive social and political sciences as man cannot seem to attain peace and unity.
And in the Barrio Development Awards l spoke of the need to go deep into the needs of the barrios to answer the nagging question of reform and a more equitable society.
I enclose the Central Bank Report.[12]
[1] Official Gazette for January 3, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS did not receive callers, but instead worked steadily on his desk until late in the afternoon. Early in the evening, the President received Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing who paid a courtesy call at Malacañang, following his assumption of office as the new city mayor of Manila. The President and Mayor Bagatsing briefly discussed the problems affecting the city, among which are: low finances, relocation of squatters, garbage collection, dredging of esteros, housing and flood control. The President pledged national government support to the city government and immediately directed: Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy- Changco to release P500,000 for the purchase of much-needed equipment of the Manila Metropolitan Police in support of the peace and order drive in the City; Secretary of Public Works and Communications David M. Consunji and Commissioner of Public Highways Baltazar Aquino to allocate road-building equipment for the repair and improvement of city streets; and Secretary of Finance Cesar E. A. Virata to release amounts representing shares of the city government in income taxes which had been frozen due to an indebtedness of the city to the Central Bank totalling P40 million. The President also assured Mayor Bagatsing that the cooperation of both national and city governments would be maintained for the early solution of the Plaza Miranda bombing case. The Manila mayor was accompanied on the call by Col. James Barbers, deputy chief of’ police of Manila. Also during the day, the President condoled with the bereaved family of the late Delegate Felino Nevi, who died yesterday. In his message, the President described the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs as “an able and dedicated public servant and an energetic business and civic leader.”
[2] Dr. Zagala , cardiologist, sister of Maj. Gen. Rafael Zagala , AFP Commanding General of the Philippine Army January 1972-1975.
[3] Official Gazette for January 4, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS inducted former Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, who has been reappointed to the same position. The oath-taking ceremony held at Malacañang in the morning was witnessed by Armed Forces of the Philippines top brass headed by Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff. After the induction, the President conferred with the retiring AFP officers, during which he informed them: Of plans to organize a commercial corporation to absorb retiring AFP officers and enlisted men for gainful employment; and That he instructed Secretary Enrile and Gen. Yan to work out a plan for the organization of a veterans bureau. The bureau will have a corporate and commercial arm which will keep the veterans occupied in gainful pursuits. Present at the meeting aside from Secretary Enrile and Gen. Yan, were Maj. Gen. Romeo Espino, AFP vice chief of staff; the chiefs of major commands and services, PC zone and PA brigade commanders, and other top AFP officials. The rest of the President’s day was devoted to desk work.
[4] Official Gazette for January 5, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS’ morning schedule was free from callers. He concentrated on urgent official business until early evening. The President designated Undersecretary of Commerce Eliseo V. Villamor as acting general manager of the Rice and Corn Administration, vice former RCA chief Jose D. Drilon , Jr. who resigned last December 31. Villamor holds the position in a concurrent capacity.
[5] This transcriptionfrom PCGG is not supported by a manuscript.
[6] novel by Irving Wallace made into a film in 1972, about the untimely deaths of the U.S. President, Vice-President and Speaker of the House leaving the Presidency to the black Senate President.
[7] Official Gazette for J anuary 6, 1972: President Marcos asked the heads of tax collecting agencies to redouble their efforts, while expressing the hope that these agencies could still improve on their past performance. The President gave the injunction after going through reports on revenues and tax collections including that of Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina , which stated that actual collections in the Bureau of Customs from July to December, 1971 showed an increase of about 11 per cent over the revised estimates; that the increase in collections for December (1971) alone was only 17 per cent more than that of the same month in 1970, and only 9.6 per cent than the projected estimates.“Better and higher collection of revenues will be very vital for the implementation of the administration program the President said.
[8] This call not noted in the Official Gazette .
[9] Official Gazette for January 7, 1972: “THE PRAYER for peace becomes more urgent and the demands for greater labor to attain it by the leaders of mankind more exacting,” thus declared President Marcos in an exchange of toast with heads of diplomatic missions led by Msgr. Carmine Rocco, dean of the diplomatic corps in the Philippines, during the traditional New Year reception held at the Maharlika Hall of Malacañang, where the President and the First. Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, received New Year well-wishers. “As we look around us,” continued the President, “we see more and more the expressions and demonstrations of disparity between the advance and progress of natural sciences on the one hand and political science on the other. We see man move forward not only within our small sphere, the earth, but, into the space that once was referred to as a strange and unknown world but which has now been moved into as a new frontier by man’s ingenuity, talent and daring. “However, as we move forward to other worlds we seem to have retrogressed in the efforts of man himself to harness his heart, his emotions and his feeling and, thus, we witness all around us the conflicts and disagreements, often violent, between races and peoples, factions and governments, and all to no purpose apparently except to satisfy certain prejudices, biases and preconceived notions and desires.” Thousands of well-wishers had gathered as early as 8:30 a.m. at the Malacañang grounds for the start of the reception which was delayed because of the breakfast tendered by the First Couple in honor of visiting Senator Barry Goldwater and Rep. Barry Goldwater, Jr. who were enroute to Sydney, Australia. The long queue of well-wishers was spearheaded by the Senate group led by Senate President and Mrs. Gil J. Puyat, followed by members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Justices of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Roberto Conception, members of the Cabinet headed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, and the chiefs of diplomatic missions led by Msgr. Carmine Rocco, papal nuncio to the Philippines. The reception was interrupted for a while when the President had the traditional exchange of toasts with diplomats, and after which the President and the First Lady resumed receiving well-wishers. These included the generals of the armed forces, led by Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff; representatives of the press, personal friends of the First Family, personnel from the Office of the President, and other government officials. In the afternoon, the President was guest of honor and speaker during the presentation of awards held at the Malacañang ceremonial hall honoring the three most outstanding model barrios chosen under the PACD-SEATO Model Community Development Contest for 1970-1971. The President paid tribute to a lady barrio captain who was an awardee, pointing out that her accomplishment indicated the fact that “sometimes man may dream big but it takes a woman to really implement and bring it down to the level of comfort and living that development and beauty really mean. In presenting the plaque of merit to the barrio captains, the President particularly noted the achievements of Mrs. Juana de Dios of Barrio San Jose, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, winner of the third prize, as “indicative of a woman’s touch. The Chief Executive assured the barrio officials that he will continue to support the contest and see to it that proper emphasis will be placed to the achievements “of our leaders in the barrios.” The ceremony was witnessed by the officials of sponsoring agencies led by Rosendo Marquez, PACD officer-in-charge; Jose Panganiban of the SEATO; and Mrs. Leticia R. Shahani of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
[10] Doctors today will prescribe colchicine once a day, too much of it is the cause of his diarrhea.
[11] These attachments not found.
[12] This attachment not found.