Went through the tests with Dr. Mely Garia, Dr. Aragon, Dr. Isidro and Dits [Juanita] Zagala.
My blood pressure was at the usual 114/80 after intense exercise including 15 minutes of fast stationary bicycle at my gym.
Official Gazette for July 23, 1970: President Marcos gave more than a little of his time to the consideration of such high priority concerns as the establishment of a free trade zone, meeting Free Trade Zone Authority officials for the purpose; and the still pending administration measures in Congress, all of which are deemed essential to development and better government, and for which purpose he met with Congress leaders.
Apart from these meetings, and the ceremonies this morning at which Minister James Wilson of the US embassy here was conferred an award, the President as usual was engaged mostly by his desk work. At simple rites in Malacañang, the President conferred on Minister Wilson the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Maginoo, for distinctive services in the field of international relations, and for personal achievements in furthering the; interests of both the Filipino and American peoples in the course of discharging his duties. Witnessing the award presentation were the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, and members of Minister Wilson’s family, ranking diplomatic and foreign office officials.
At the meeting to discuss the pending bills in Congress, the President decided to call a caucus of leaders of both chambers tomorrow in Malacañang.
In the meeting with the FTZA officials, headed by Chairman Rolando Geotina, the President suggested that private landowners be persuaded to sell their lands to industrial establishments, and that the FTZA should explore coordinated activities with other government economic agencies.
The President told Geotina and Commissioner Teodoro Peña to confer with officials of the National Economic Council, the Presidential Economic Staff and the Board of Investments on the formulation of rules and regulations and the zonification of the area, taking into account: 1) The four-year economic development program; 2) The availability of funds; and 3) The priorities approved by the Board of Investments.
The rest of the President’s working day was taken up by state papers, among them new appointments to vacant posts which he approved; and a number of directives to various offices.
The Chief Executive forwarded to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of appointees to municipal judgeship and clerks of court. The nominees include 12 for municipal judges, one auxiliary judge and three clerks of court. (List of nominees in OG.)
The President directed officials concerned to lay clown the mechanics for possible acquisition by the government of landed estates in exchange for shares of stocks in state corporations, a means eyed for hastening implementation of the land reform program. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. informed the President that he has been sounded out by certain big landowners in Tarlac, who said they were willing to swap their lands for shares in government corporations. Some state corporations which could swap shares of lands include Manila Gas Corporation, the National Development Company, the National Power Corporation, and the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority.
The President also directed the banning of all firearms in the premises of the Manila International Airport. He also ordered that tourists be allowed to visit Nayong Pilipino even if they are in transit. The Chief Executive issued the twin directives to Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina and to the heads of government agencies with offices at the MIA, including the Bureau of Quarantine, Civil Aeronautics Administration, Bureau of Immigration, Office of the Airport Manager, and to all police units.
Decorated Minister James Wilson who left at 4:00 PM with the Sikatuna rank of Maginoo. When appearing before the Symington sub-committee, he declared that I had insisted that the aid given by the U.S. would ultimately be received under the MAP [Military Assistance Program] and so why not accelerate it.
Met with Speaker [Jose B.] Laurel on many matters specially appointments and the possibility of another (a third) special session. So we meet all the congressional leaders tomorrow for lunch at 12:30 and caucus.
Gave dinner for Mr. and Mrs. McNaughton, head of Castle and Cook, one of the big 5 of Hawaii and owner of Dole Pineapple at Matutum.
Called for Eddie Figueras yesterday to confront him with the intelligence reports that he was or had bought ball-bearings in Tokyo and armalites in Saigon where our military attaché Col. Atienza was involved as he was also involved in the effort of Col. Joe Banzon to buy guns for Cambodia. [Federico] Junior Ablan brought him.
Eddie admitted it and agreed to surrender the ball bearings which he claimed would be used for slingshots against the police who had beaten up his boys and promised to work out the turn-over of whatever guns were coming from Saigon.
I promised to release the Liberty Shipping boats of two 12,500 tons each guaranteed by the DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] if he helped. And he promised to send radio commentator Roger Arienda out of the country, work out support from Emil Jurado’s column and help in finances. I asked him to stay away from [Sergio] Osmeña [Jr.].
He sent some shares of Liberty Shipping which I sent back through Junior Ablan.