2:15 AM July 9th
Official Gazette for July 8, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has issued Presidential Decree No. 212 amending Paragraph One of Section 1659 of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended, providing for more flexibility and discretion in the choice of a substitute to perform the duties of the solicitor general in the event of a vacancy in the office of the solicitor general. Section 1659 of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended, provides for a first assistant solicitor general to temporarily perform the functions of the office and in the event of the absence of the first assistant solicitor general, the acting solicitor general is designated from among nine assistant solicitors general on the sole basis of seniority.
COMMISSION on Elections has formulated and unanimously approved a single “capsulized” question for the July 27 referendum. It centers on President Marcos’ tenure and the reforms undertaken during his Martial Law administration. The sole question which some 21 million Barangay members throughout the country will be asked to resolve on July 27 is: Under the present Constitution, the President, if he so desires, can continue in office beyond 1973. Do you want President Marcos to continue beyond 1973 and finish the reforms he has initiated under Martial Law?” Comelec Chairman Leonardo B. Perez explained that this question “capsulizes” all the proposed issues and questions submitted to the poll body during its consultations with all sectors of the nation, both public and private.
THE GOVERNMENT reported significant gain—notably in education and agrarian reform—in its multi-pronged approach to national development. After averting the “school crisis” which had perenially plagued the educational system, the government prosecuted vigorously projects aimed at getting more benefits from the educational system. In the field of agrarian reform, the touch-stone of the government’s social program, the distribution of land titles to tenant farmers was accelerated. Assured of fundings mainly from the P150 million real estate tax collections, the government took the following steps to prevent the recurring educational problem: (1) Opened some 4,000 new teaching positions in public schools to complement the reorganized two-shift school plan and the pupil accommodation plan; 2) Completed the construction and repairs of 9,494 classrooms damaged by last year’s typhoon; 3) Increased the number of classrooms throughout the country to 204,234; and 4) Allocated P1 billion to cover the salaries of 350,000 school teachers and other workers assigned in the schools.
DEFENSE Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile has directed the chief of staff to institute strict measures against abusive officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as he took note of complaints and reports on alleged abuses by military personnel against civilians. In a memorandum to the AFP’s chief of staff, Enrile stressed the need to ensure the proper conduct of military personnel, particularly at this time, in order to strengthen unity and cooperation with the people., The secretary asked the chief of staff to issue the implementing directive in dealing with prescribed acts of military personnel which include but are not limited to the following: 1) Manhandling of civilians; 2) Fabrication of evidence against civilians; 3) Threatening civilians to prevent them from filing a complaint against any military personnel or the latter’s relatives; 4) Extorting from civilians anything of value whether in cash or in kind; 5) Unjustifiable failure of the military superior concerned to discharge his duties as such superior upon a case being reported to him involving the commission of any of the above offenses by his subordinates.
THE PRESIDENT through Proclamation No. 1156, has declared the period July 8 to 14 this year as Chemical Engineering Week to recognition of the role Played by chemical engineers to further scientific and technological advancement for national economic development. As signed by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor Jr. by authority of the President, the proclamation stresses, that it is only fitting that public attention be focused on the role of chemical engineers toward attaining the objectives of the government under the New Society.
EXPORTS for the first half of 1973 reached $895,540,546, some $310 million better than the $585.5 million in the same period in 1972. This was reported to Customs Commissioner Rolando Geotina by the export coordination department which is headed by Eligia F. Romero. In the month of June alone, export earnings hit $172 million, a big gain over the $103.8 million of the previous June. Based on his statistics for the first half of 1973, the commissioner reported that the top ten exports were: 1) Logs, $37,814,593; 2) Sugar, $32,897,152; 3) Copper concentrate; $31,449,878; 4) Coconut oil, $11.481,001; 5) Copra, $10,230,859; 6) Plywood, $5,284,171; 7) Lumber, $3,793,056; 8) Bananas, 83,165,057; 9) Copra pellets, $2,991,089; 10) Native crafts, $2,693,772.
Come back to Manila from Hermano Mayor at about 4:00 PM as it was starting to drizzle in the island. But we had to come and meet Irene who arrived by PAL [Philippine Airlines] at 7:00 PM.
The island is another paradise. It turned out to be a heaven which fitted my temperament and need for the outdoors. Although I could not ski as the waves were high.
Imelda and Cristina with the Blue Ladies arrived at about 1:00 PM just in time for lunch (and mass before that).
But we must look for an island that has good weather all the year round.