The projected violent demonstrations did not materialize. Nor were there any demonstrations at all.
So finished the letter of intent to the IMF [International Monetary Fund], the priorities for funding and the legislation for additional tax collections.
Played golf in the afternoon notwithstanding the rain then returned to the Palace where I saw the movie “Chisum” starring John Wayne and chatted with the Blue Ladies and their husbands.
We have to veto the provision of the budget inserted in the conference committee report by Sen. [Dominador] Aytona and Cong. [Jose] Alberto requiring the concurrence of the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and the House Appropriations committees (which means them) before release of savings under Gen. Prov. Sec. 5, continuing appropriations and unprogrammed amounts. This is in excess of the powers of the conference committee and is unconstitutional as it grants to legislators executive powers—no government funds so classified can be released without their approval.
Official Gazette for July 4, 1970: President Marcos started his day with breakfast with the distinguished Malacañang house guests for the past two days, New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake and Mrs. Holyoake. The First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, shared the role of host with the President. The Prime Minister and his wife later bade their hosts goodbye as they departed for home Via Saigon. They left Malacañang at about 9 a.m.
On the occasion of Republic Day, the President issued the following message:
“Twenty four years ago today, we emerged as a modern republic from the rubble of war to grow into one of the most stable governments of Asia and in the world. July 4, 1946 marks the culmination of our long years of relentless struggle to preserve our freedom and independence as a people. It should not be lost on us that on that day, too, we forged a strong and enduring partnership with the American people in the pursuit of equality and harmony among nations.”
Later in the morning, the President officiated at the ceremony conferring on US Army Maj. Gen. Autrey J. Maroun the Philippine Legion of Honor, rank of commander, for his services to the Philippines as chief of the Military Planning Office of SEATO. The First Lady and Mrs. Maroun along with other prominent guests from Philippine officialdom and the US embassy here attended the ceremony.
The rest of the clay was devoted by the President to paper work in his study and conferences with officials on various problems of the country.
While working on state papers, the President:
1. Created an executive committee to act as the advisory body of the FAO Seminar on Measures to Accelerate Benefits from Water Use at the Farm Level, set for October this year in Quezon City. 2. Amended Executive Order No. 233, issued last May 15, creating the “Commission on Population,” by making the director of the National Media Production Center (NMPC) a member of the commission. 3. Constituted a three-man committee to look into the feasibility of the government acquiring interests in an oil firm in the country.