7:00 AM – 9:00 AM—Golf and exercises
9:30—Left for Camp Crame for Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] 5th Inaugural. Gen. [Mariano] Ordoñez has retired, Col. Alfredo Montoya, his Ex. O. has taken over command. I
Official Gazette for July 5, 1972: THE PRESIDENT issued an administrative order authorizing Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco to release funds to defray governmental operations expenses for July and August this year, equivalent to those authorized for the corresponding months in Fiscal Year 1972.
Although the President was optimistic that the proposed budget for FY 1973 would be passed during the special session of Congress he had to take this measure to insure the continuity of essential government services because under the law the government has no budget beginning July 1.
In his administrative order, the President authorized all heads of departments and chiefs of bureaus and offices of the national government, pending approval of the budget, to incur obligations for the two months against appropriations authorized in Republic Act No. 6400 (Appropriations Act of 1972) in an amount not exceeding two-thirds of total expenditures under EA 6400 for each such agency during the first quarter of FY 1972 (July, August, September), as well as to withdraw cash from the National Treasury, in no case exceeding the level of cash withdrawal authorized respectively for July and August 1971.
Present at the signing of the administrative order held at the President’s study late in the afternoon, were Commissioner Sy-Changco and Deputy Commissioner Juan Agcaoili; Commissioner Epi Rey Pangramuyen, Executive Director Nicomedes Peña and Chief of Administrative Offices Aurora A. de Leon of the Civil Service Commission.
First among the President’s crowded schedule of activities, was the Fifth Founding Anniversary ceremony of the Metropolitan Police Command of the Philippine Constabulary in Camp Crame, Quezon City, where he was guest of honor and speaker.
In his speech, the President ordered the immediate initiation of an air mobility training course for METROCOM personnel, and the release of ₱1.5 million for the modernization of the equipment of the METROCOM.
The President congratulated the METROCOM and its officers and men for having gained public acceptance although at the very outset it was met with opposition from all quarters.
Before delivering his address, the President presented awards and plaques of commendation to five METROCOM officers headed by retired Brig. Gen. Mariano G. Ordoñez, former commanding general of the organization, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Star with the first anahaw leaf.
After the program the President proceeded to the Officers Clubhouse where he looked over the exhibits consisting of the various types of pillboxes and molotov cocktails used by the activists, as well as the anti-riot paraphernalia used by the METROCOM.
The President returned to Malacañang at about noon. He took a brief rest before taking lunch and then received callers till early evening.
The callers included Secretary of Education Juan Manuel, who reported on the problem of enrolling all children of school age for the new school year. He assured the President that no school crisis was expected.
Others received by the President were:
1) Eulogio de Guzman, Jr., whom he inducted into office as a director of the Philippine National Railways; and
2) The new set of officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, whom he also swore into office. They were Primitivo Mijares of the Daily Express, president; Manuel Salak of the Manila Times, chairman of the board; Domingo Quimlat of the Taliba, vice-president; Teddy Owen of the Manila Daily Bulletin, secretary-treasurer; and Francisco de Leon of the Manila Chronicle, Dave Bidan of the Philippines Herald, and Greg Datum of the Daily Mirror, members of the board.
have ordered airmobile exercises. P1.5 million for new patrol cars and updating of the contingency plans.
11:45—Returned to the palace.
12:10—Met Amb. [Henry] Byroade who wanted to know if there was a change in foreign policy. I countered that the State Dept. seemed to want the Laurel Langley to lapse without any replacement. And that the military assistance pact had to be renegotiated. We agreed we should postpone negotiations until after the U.S. elections in November.
12:40 – Greater Manila Food Terminal Market. P50 million more funds for it to be raised by Central Bank and Sec. of Finance. IISMI [Iligan Integrated Steel Mills Inc.]—Central Bank Gov. [Gregorio] Licaros adamant that IISMI account for P452 million of raw materials plus about P80 million of advances by DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] on IISMl loans to the World Bank.
1:00 PM – 2:20 PM—Congressmen
6:00 PM—Reports on the killing of Commander Benjie (TN-Benjamin Jallores) head of the NPA [New People’s Army] in the Bicol.
7:00—Report of the attack by 100 Muslims of Mabuhay, Zambo. [Zamboanga del] Sur. 53 Christians killed, 4 raiders captured. I attach report.
7:15 PM—Report of Sec. [Juan] Manuel that all pupils will be accommodated.
7:30 PM—Induction of Malacañang Press Club and interview.
8:00 p.m.—Report of Sec. Manuel and Dr. Abad on the $100 million dollar requirement for the 10 year educational reform program. First round requirement is $12 million to be borrowed in negotiations with World Bank this month.
9:00 PM—Met Delegate [Emil] Ong of Northern Samar brought by [Antonio] Tony Raquiza.
10:00 PM—Met Tito and [Jose Jr.] Tiling Yulo.