I explained to them that the less it is made to appear that they are protecting the First Lady and the less she is mentioned the better.
But a quiet, unobtrusive effort must be made to build up her defense by an open defense of the delegates.
The Concon [Constitutional Convention] should now finish a constitution and prepare to close its work after disposing of the charges of [Eduardo] Quintero who did not appear again in the committee hearing today, protesting illness.
Tomorrow we give a luncheon for [Donald] Kendall, the Pepsi Cola owner and adviser to Pres. [Richard] Nixon.
3:00 AM June 17th June 16, 1972[1]
Friday
Moslem leaders from Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte pledged loyalty to me—“’even if you declare yourself dictator.” 24 mayors out of 28 of Lanao del Sur and 10 mayors out of 19 of Lanao del Norte under Cong. [Mohammad] Ali and Macacuna Dimaporo and Ex. Gov. Mandangan Dimacuta “our only reservation is our religion.”
Sen. Mamintal Tamano refused to meet with these leaders.
Asian Land Reform ministers and directors paid a courtesy call on me with Sec. Conrado Estrella.
Cancelled the briefing on the consultative group to meet in June 22, 1972 in Tokyo.
Luncheon for Donald Kendall of Pepsi Cola with [Bernard] Lasker, Pres. of the New York Stock Exchange, [James] Roche former Gen. Manager of General Motors and Champion former Chairman of First National City Bank of New York—and others who are leaders in the economic field in the U.S.
Then dinner at the boat on a cruise of Manila Bay up to 2:00 AM.
Held a conference with Cong. Jose Alberto, Sen. Lorenzo Teves and Com. [Faustino] Sychangco on the budget. Since the Senate has removed the power to transfer funds and the use of savings as well as other substantial provisions, there will have to be a new special session to be called immediately after the 1st on June 23rd.
The House will maintain its version.
Met the Justices (Felix Antonio, Felix Makasiar and Antonio Barredo) on the appointment of a Justice of the Supreme Court and a Presiding as well as Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals.
[Jose] Joe Campos, Ralph Nubla at 9:30 PM.
Then called up Gen. [Fidel] Ramos on Mindanao and Johnny [Juan] Perez on ads for the
Express.
[Muammar] Gaddafi of Libya in a Lebanon speech has reiterated his stand that he will continue to support the Moslem independence movement against “the Manila government” with men, arms, equipment and money.”
He has probably been approached again by Congressman Salipada Pendatun who left the country some time ago.
And this may be the reason for the attack on government troops by Muslim groups. One led by the nephew of Udtog Matalam had a following of 50-100 men with three 30 caliber machine guns, BARs and AK47. They suffered I5 KIA [killed in action] while our troops suffered 1 KIA.
The Gaddafi speech was reported by Ambassador [Roberto] Benedicto who quoted Japanese sources. I directed him to document this.
Seato [Southeast Asia Treaty Organization] and its replacement.
Neutralization of South East Asia.
The Malacca Straits.
The Convention of the Law on the Seas.
The effect of the closing of the Malacca Straits to Philippines.
The funds for the Constitutional Convention.
[Eisaku] Sato reassigned as Prime Minister 30 minutes before I talked to Bobby Benedicto by long distance.
[Takeo] Fukuda may succeed for a year or two and [Kakuei] Tanaka to follow. Fukuda is for increased trade and investments and aid abroad as well as for increased arms for Japan.
Appointments
Justice [Salvador] Esguerra
Com. Luis Patajo.
Don [Donald] Kendall, [Bernard] Lasker and the others are clearly disturbed by the possible victory of Sen. [George] McGovern whose welfare state program is beginning to attract the young and the 18 year olds are going to vote this year. McGovern is for an inheritance tax of a hundred percent for all the excess of $500,000, a 77% income tax on income in excess of $150,000 and promises to give $1,000 to every American.
He is an isolationist and for “Fortress America.”
Supposed to be written on
Board the 777
Written at the new June 17, 1972[2]
Big Cabana referred to as Saturday
Ulot Intercon
We left Manila at 2:00 PM. The matters for June 17th are included in pp. 2139 to 2142. [i.e. second half of June 16, 1972 entry]
Exercised rather heavily with my dumb-bells and jogged in place in my study on board.
The circular turn on the hip clockwise and counter clockwise made dizzy.
Slept late—3:00 AM waiting for Imelda.
Written June 19th, Monday June 18, 1972[3]
evening at the “Ulot Sunday
Intercon”—
Woke up at 10:00 AM. Mass at 12:00 AM.
Arrived at Canauag pilot Station at 2:00 PM (24 hours from Manila) and a[t] Tacloban at 4:15 PM although we had to stop at the San Juanico Bridge to allow our arrival at the scheduled time of 4:15 PM.
Ordered movies and panorama still shots in color and black and white to be taken of the San Juanico Strait with its scenic tight turns and narrow passage. One thing about Samar and Leyte at this time of the year—it is verdant green.
Tumultuous and spontaneous welcome complete with placards. Almost broke the formal guard of honor at the pier. Imelda was in tears.
Mass at the Sto. Niño Church of Tacloban where I led the prayer after the Credo. This was the prayer for the Sto. Niño when I was Hermano mayor in 1968. The Monseñor Parado of Tacloban asked me to say a few words. I thanked the people for the warm and happy welcome although we had come on a sorrowful journey to interr our unborn child with whom so many dreams had died “’with the grandparents at Tolosa.” And we would always reciprocate their love and affection.
I started out by saying we would help rebuild the church, the altar of which was burned when the Holy Infant Academy was burned by the subversives.
Then merienda at Gov. Kokoy [Benjamin] Romualdez White House.
On to Tolosa. But were stopped on the way although already dark by cheering happy people giving out with the Victory fingers signal.
Arrived at Ulot at about 8:00 PM with a quarter moon still high in the sky.
Beautiful weather. The new house now dubbed the “Ulot Intercon” turned out to be utilitarian but decorative. And cool. The wind from the south curls around the mountain south of the house and hits it full. Unlike the old house which is warmer. Although all the 15 rooms are airconditioned. The big sala below is open to the large sundeck.
But I seem to be starting out with a cold. So I took 2 pills of Decolgen.
After a call to [Francisco] Kits Tatad I made a tentative reply to Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal’s second letter to me.
12:45 June 19, 1972[4]
Monday
Woke up at 5:30 AM but went back to bed still feeling a little weak from the cold. Woke up again at 6:30 with Imelda but we went back to bed although the sea was inviting—“Now is the time to go water skiing,” Imelda said. I was not up to it.
But when I woke up at 8:00 AM I was feeling better. And after breakfast and a pill of Decolgen, I went skiing.
Tired out. Slept at 10:30. Woke up at 12:00 [P]M. Lunch. Rest but no nap since I was waiting for the newspaper boys from Manila. They arrived at 3:00 PM having had problems about transportation. I gave a press interview after I dictated a new answer to the [Diosdado] Macapagal letter to [Francisco] Kits Tatad.
Inauguration of the new Rural Electrification Plant site at San Roque, Tolosa on land donated by the Romualdez family where Imelda used to play and plant coconuts.
Then at 6:15 PM in the glooming (nagaagaw and liwanag at dilim or takip silim) mass at the Romualdez mausoleum in the poblacion by Mons. Salvador assisted by Mons. Parado and the internment of our unborn child at about 7:00 PM. Most picturesque and sad. Imelda was crying all the time.
9:35 PM June 20, 1972[5]
On board the 777 Tuesday
After Ulot and between Leyte
and Samar and southward to
Cagayan de Oro
Left Tacloban at 7:30 PM and were at Ulot, Tolosa at about 8:40. Weather is fair but there are already some smells although we have not yet passed Samar that screens our route from the east. The wind is supposed to be from the Southwest but is actually coming from the Southeast.
Woke up at 9:00 AM. Skiied [sic] up to 11:30 AM. Press interview; meeting between Medicare (Dr. Pacifico Marcos and Sec. [Clemente] Gatmaitan) and the Dept. of Health, Com. on Highways [Baltazar] Aquino, Dir. of Public Works [Alejandro] Deleña, Com. on Fisheries [Andres] Mane, provincial and municipal officials.
Coordinating Committee between the Dept. of Health and Medicare set up.
The new program for cold storage set up.
School house repair and construction.
Then lunch and a short nap. It rained. Taught the kids (John John, Hartzel, F. Martin and Butsoy) some archery.
Just talked to [Alejandro] Alex Melchor [Jr.] on his message which I attach.
The media and newspaper boys of Malacañang are with us in the ship. They asked me that now that I am retiring if I knew of anybody who could lead the country in these troubled times. I told them that we have to develop a leader in a year and a half.
I told them that what I feared most was when I had retired the armed forces may be pushed to the wall and for their own individual survival they might take over the country.
The alternatives or options were I ran out of the country or stay help stave off the revolution.
And I do not intend to run away after. I had been given the honor of serving as president of the Republic!!
11:00 PM June 21, 1972[6]
Wednesday
Arrived at Cagayan de Oro at 8:00 AM. Woke up at 5:00 AM. Read Three Faces of Fascism by Ernst Nolte (Prolix, strained, belabored and pedantic). Went back to bed at 7:20 and slept for another thirty minutes.
Briefing by Gen. [Antonio] Venades, 4th Division Commander and Task Force Pagkakaisa Commander and IV PC [Philippine Constabulary] Zone Commander Gen. [Wilfredo] Encarnacion.
Gen. Encarnacion is old and seems to have settled down to routinary matters. He should be relieved soon.
No contingency plans for Mindanao. Two reserve battalions being trained at Surigao and Cotabato Sur. But armaments and equipment good only for one battalion. Two battalions would cost P7,550,000 more or less annually.
5,000 (more or less) wanted unarrested men. 10,000 loose firearms.
Intelligence Spotty.
Communications improved but still incomplete on the tactical level.
Transport 50% deadlined.
Met the mayors, electric cooperative seminar delegates, barrio people, govt. [government] workers and leaders. “Security includes not only the military but the economic and social development of the country. The latter is the true foundation for security.”
The true solution to our problems can be stated in one word: “Production.” “If every man, woman or child contributed to the nation some form of production, no matter how modest, we would solve all our problems overnight.”
Then went to Del Monte by car to play golf. Left at 1:00 PM. Arrived there at 1:35 PM. Teed off at 1:50 PM. Finished at 3:35 PM. Returned to the ship at 3:45 PM. Arrived at 4:30 PM. Returned to the ship at 3:45 PM. Arrived at 4:30 PM.
But Imelda had gone to the marketplace and was mobbed by thousands of people who kept asking her to run for president. She attracted more spontaneous attention than we did. Although the people came out into the streets to wave and smile and cry out happy greetings.
This will disturb the presidential hopefuls in Manila.
8:30 AM June 22, 1972[7][8]
Off Zamboanga City Thursday
on board the 777 before
landing
Comparatively pleasant trip. Slight swells and a driving rain at about 8:45 PM last night.
Sen. Benigno Aquino, in undisguised relish predicts revolution in the Philippines. Writing in an article “Youth in Revolt” in the Far Eastern Economic Review of June 10, 1972 he gleefully quotes the usual statistics of doom: the economic elite of 1.5%, the 75% poor and the 23.5% middle class; the economic profile—only 2.6% of Filipino families earn P10,000 ($1,538) or more a year, 6.8% earn 5,000 to P9,999 ($769-$1,538) etc.; Cost of education; the drop outs only 32 out of 100 finish elementary education, only 0.8 finish high school, only 4 go to college, only 0.8 get a college degree; Unemployment and underemployment: 1.1 million plus out of a workforce of 12.5 are unemployed, 5 million are underemployed; of the 1,007,133 college educated why 60.6% were employed, of the 1,041,004 with one to three years of college, only 38.3% had work, of the 1,038,306 only 78% had jobs, most being misplaced.
I attach the copy of the Review.
Aquino, conveniently forgetting Plaza Miranda and the rice scarcity brought about by calamities, with an apparent boast for his supposedly activist-supported bid for the Liberal Party presidential nomination said: “He might have added that activist youth, fragmented in ideology and strategy, was behind the candidates hand-picked by President and Mrs. Marcos in the last senatorial elections.”
And this is the orientation of the whole article—to focus on his strength as a presidential candidate.
The prediction, however, has basis for it. Although the estimate of five to ten years may be too long—or too short.
1:00 AM June 23rd June 22, 1972[9]
Thursday
We have just left Zamboanga City for Cebu after a tumultuous and spontaneously happy welcome by the people who lined the streets to welcome us as we rode to the SOWESCOM [Southwest Command] Hdq. for a military briefing and the Pastor Bonus Hall for a joint meeting with the civil officials.
Situation is alarming but not critical. Started as a family feud between the Mirandas and Hassans. Seems that last November a policeman, Miranda, in trying to pacify the son of the Vice Mayor, Hassan, of Ipil, was knifed by one of the companions of the boy whom he killed in turn with his gun. In retaliation the brother of Hassan killed the brother of the policeman Miranda. Miranda then sought the help of the Ilagas against the Moslems.
The Ilaga raid on Ipil where 4 Moslems were killed and five Ilagas also killed resulted.
And there are Ilaga organizations springing up, possibly in self-defense, but actually in a big extortion ring—or with possible connections with the communists.
Ordered the banning of the carrying of firearms outside residences as in Ilocos Sur and Cavite, augmented the SOWESCOM, and increased the arms for the policemen with the provincial government advancing funds for purchase and the PC [Philippine Constabulary] lending some.
On June 16th the PC apprehended an Ilaga leader a [Maxhimil?] Canoy who revealed that he and 37 others were brought from Cotabato by Gov. [Arsenio] Quibranza in August of 1971 to Lanao del Norte then to Zamboanga del Sur.
I talked to [Zamboanga] Archbishop [Lino] Gonzaga who is a spiritual adviser. He also feels that a revolution has actually started and will get well into a worse state soon. And the democratic ways will not solve the violence. So martial law may be necessary. To what extent he does not know.
But this has impressed Imelda and me.
Written at 6:15 PM at the June 23, 1972[10]
Study of the 777 off the Friday
of Ragay Gulf on June 24, 1972
I was starting a cold last night so I took a couple Decolgen tablets after merienda at 7:00 PM after conferring with Tano Ludo, Tura Veloso and Judge Francin ______ on the boat and a hot shower.
While having a massage at 9:00 PM, I fell asleep to wake up 2:00 AM when I dressed up to call Imelda who was still talking to the girls in the lounge and take dinner. Went back to sleep at 3:00 AM. Woke up at 9:00 AM completely refreshed.
The visit to Cebu was a complete success. Imelda was mobbed in the streets, in the market and in the conferences of mayors and the citizenry. “I thought the Marcoses were already unpopular,” remarked one newspaperman.
With the approval of Mayor Osmeña, Sen. [Rene] Espina, Cong. [Ramon] Durano and other Congressmen and Chief of Police [Abundio] Gultiano, all policemen who are, after investigation by the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation], found to be guilty of anomalies, will be removed or suspended. Mayor [Sergio] Osmeña [Jr.] charges Gultiano of heading a syndicate of crooks. Sen. Espina countered that Mayor Osmeña squad killed four men in a taxicab in front of the provincial jail in cold blood. And men like him are fearful of their lives.
6:55 PM June 24, 1972[11]
Saturday
We are now hitting some swells now that are directly west of Marinduque and the ship is rolling and pitching moderately but sharply.
Arrived at Pasacao at about 10:00 AM. The military and civil officials took the PG No. 63 to board us from the pier of Pasacao. Our trip last night was smooth although the low pressure center, Konsing, is about 260 miles east of Samar.
Imelda could not go to the town as it was raining. It has been overcast and raining since then.
Task Force Commander, TF Bulosan, Col. [Cipriano] Ramiro conducted the confidential briefing with the military first and the public one later.
There has been an increase in both armed strength to 100 of the NPA [New People’s Army] and the mass base to 9,000 although Col. Ramiro would admit only to the latter.
Gov. [Felix] Alfelor is non-cooperative. Although he will follow my directives, he will not go out of his way to help the military. Apparently because the NPA Commander, Benjamin Jallores, alias Commander Benjie is a relative of his wife. I suggested to him to arrange the surrender of Jallores. I doubt it if he will although he agreed.
He ______ to the [maintenance?[ of BDSU’s [Barrio Self-Defense Units].[12]
The trip has been very heartwarming. What is probably happening is that the media that has been hitting and demeaning us repeatedly is over-rated, our people are more discriminating and sophisticated and intelligent and/or we are so much the underdog that the people are sympathetic to us.
All over the Visayas, Mindanao and Bicol, we have been welcomed tumultuously and happily. The question of Imelda running has come up.
It was raised dramatically by the Cebu municipal mayors who upon the motion of Mayor de Dios of Carmen and seconded by ______ of Naga, resolved that since no one can lead the country in this [these] troubled times but Pres. Marcos. Imelda is directed to run for President in 1973!!
So although there is a deterioration of the peace and order situation and an increase in area covered and numbers of the New People’s Army and CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines], I am glad that we took the trip.
12:30 PM June 25, 1972[13]
Sunday
We are back in Manila. We arrived at Pier 15 at about 4:00 AM. Slept until 15 minutes to 6:00 AM. Tried to sleep some more but could not. We were early for the wedding of Sen. Arturo Tolentino’s daughter arriving at 7:15 when it was set for 7:30 AM and it started at 8:00 AM.
And the typhoon hit us then. The wind must have been about 150 kms. It lasted till about 2:00 PM when we took a nap.
Sen. Gerardo Roxas, the President of the opposition party was a sponsor also of the wedding. He must have felt happy when I preferred him to Ninoy [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] as presidential candidate. I called Ninoy a mischievous boy and that for the good of the country he must not be a candidate for president.
Imelda went farther. During the breakfast they sat together and she pointedly told him that we would help him win the nomination and that he should get a strong Ilocano or Bicol candidate.
Apparently swallowing everything he has agreed to maintain a liaison with me.
She must have shocked him when she told him that his love, Mrs. Lydia Durano Rodriguez had cried out her secret of their love affair to him. It apparently tickled his ego, she thought, because he kept pinching her wrist, in the playful manner of a fairy.
And he was interested in the jet set friends of Imelda—the Fords and the Rothschilds—“about the age bracket of 30 years when you can proposition them without untoward consequences,” he said. The man is a sex maniac.
I am afraid he will never be president. He does not have the drive for it.
I issued instructions to Sec. [Carlos] Romulo to seek the reorientation of Seato [Southeast Asia Treaty Organization] in the Ministers conference in Caberra [sic] this 27th. I attach the copy of the instructions.
Ambassador [Roberto] Benedicto reported on the Consultative Group meeting in Tokyo and developments in Japan.
Yesterday in Pasacao Col. Nicanor Jimenez, Gen. Manager of the PNR [Philippine National Railways] and whose sister is married to a Quintero (the brother of Vice Mayor Quintero) told me that Delegate [Eduardo] Quintero wants to raise the white flag and wants to negotiate. I told him all we wanted Quintero to do was tell the truth. Nick sees me Monday at 10:00 AM.
11:05 PM June 26, 1972[14]
Monday
Consultative Group—Amb. [Roberto] Benedicto—a total of $270 million have been committed as loans to the Philippines.
Japanese loans. We finished the listing of the $65 million project and commodity loans and the new $75 million loan.
[Nicanor] Nick Jimenez—he came to reiterate the request of Delegate [Eduardo] Quintero to allow him a way out.
Dean Crispin Baizas came to tell me that he is filing a libel suit against George Sison (Conde de Makati) Araneta (Antonio) for Cong. and Mrs. [Eduardo] Danding Cojuangco [Jr.].
Sugar—There is no sugar in the market.
Sec. [Troadio] Quiazon [Jr.] says the traders are hoarding the sugar bought from the producers at low prices.
[Alfredo] Piding Montelibano [Sr.] says the traders will not bring out the sugar unless the prices set by the PCC [Price Control Council] are increased because the sugar was bought ostensibly in the documents of sale at low prices but the traders had to shell out undocumented additional amounts under the table.
Rice—[Eliseo] Villamor is weak and I must appoint a General Manager. [Ernesto] Maceda and Chuqui[?] are quarreling about the allocation of vessels for Carriers.
[Antonio] Tony Tupaz came to explain he was against [Diosdado] Macapagal.
Contingency plans of the Armed Forces—Johnny [Juan] Ponce Enrile, Tom [Tomas] Diaz and Col. [Romeo] Gatan showed me the plans of the CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] and NPA [New People’s Army] for 1972 which includes not only expansion, recruitment and training but assassination sabotage and terrorism in the Manila-Rizal sector.
Gov. [Benjamin] Romualdez leaving for the US tomorrow to attend to the schooling of Imee in Princeton and in National Cathedral at Washington before that.
10:35 PM June 27, 1972[15]
Tuesday
Am suffering from pains on the right foot (the right side of the ball) and I limp when I walk. Although I have loose bowel movement and a little nausea I have had to take colchicine and butazolidin.
It subsided in the afternoon. But I have been advised to keep my weight off my feet.
Col. Nicanor Jimenez has seen me this morning and tonight to tell me that Delegate [Eduardo] Quintero wishes to get out of the country for good to stay in Japan. As Nick Jimenez put it in Pasacao last Saturday he wishes to raise the white flag. I have asked to say nothing but the truth to the effect that we (Imelda and I) had told him we had not authorized anyone to give money to the delegates.
But apparently the activists are watching him. And a certain Teresa Nieva told Mrs. Tarsila Quintero not to allow Delegate Quintero to lose heart, this afternoon. So Nick had to send his brother Ramon to Quintero to avoid surveillance. But he (Nick) will see Quintero tomorrow at 1:30 PM and see me at 4:00 PM.
Ely Pamatong, an alleged youth leader wrote the Committee on Privileges of the Concon [Constitutional Convention] that he was aware of the “Payola” revealed by Delegate Quintero as he belonged to the group under Dr. [Guillermo] Guimo de Vega as a Technical Assistant to the Office of the President. And that he was asked to deliver two envelopes full of money to Delegates [Venancio] Yaneza and [Gilberto] Duavit but he refused although several days later, these two delegate [sic] received the envelopes from Dr. de Vega in his office.
He was the leader of Stream which does not have a following, was Technical Assistant until he was dismissed June 1st for not reporting to the office. He is a blackmailer.
Apparently he has been induced to fabricate evidence by Concon Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal who tried to have another man sign a similar affidavit.
I may see [Joaquin] Chino Roces on his birthday on the 29th. Executive Secretary [Alejandro] Alex Melchor [Jr.] is preparing the meeting.
11:30 PM June 28, 1972[16]
Wednesday
The domestic sugar situation is deteriorating as there is no supply so the prices are high. The PCC (Price Control Council) cannot seem to do anything.
So I meet them with [Antonio] Tony Roxas Chua and [Alfredo] Piding Montelibano who has said in the hearings of the PCC that if they do not increase prices then they (the PCC) can look for their own sugar, rather arrogantly everyone says.
Dr. [D. S.] Zahvkar, the Asian IMF [International Monetary Fund] director has come to say goodbye as he retires from the IMF with the hope that he will be appointed as an Asian consultant.
He congratulates us for having not devalued but floated the peso anticipating the dollar and the pound.
The EEC [European Economic Community] has decided not to float their currencies.
And he believes the U.S. economy will improve this year although the prices are still up.
The Filipinos are adept in the recovery from calamity.
The U.S. wants the surplus countries to participate with the deficit countries like the U.S. to settle Ute imbalance of trade. The surplus countries want a settlement of monetary policy first—the devaluation of the dollar. The U.S. wants a settlement of trade policy first as the surplus countries like Japan and Germany can sell less and buy more (with less surplus) Japan now has a reserve of $10 billion and Germany $7-8 billion.
Who will break the vicious cycle?
The U.S. has about $70 billion outside the U.S. with only $10 billion in gold to back them up.
The lMF has recommended SDR (Special Drawing Rights) or this amount for the US to repay over 15-20 years.
But this amount of $70 billion is in the hands of Americans through multinational corporations which has lent the money out through the money centers.
Reviewed the Reparations Program.
Met the congressmen.
Studied the needed political and economic reform.
Land Reform must be supported by more taxes on inheritance and income.
But industrialization must be pushed.
11:00 PM June 29, 1972[17]
Thursday
I went to [Joaquin] Chino Roces’ house to wish him a Happy Birthday. Arrived at 7:15 PM, left at 9:00 PM with [Alejandro] Alex Melchor [Jr.].
First much bantering and fencing specially when Sen. [Edgar] Ilarde, Max[imo] Soliven and the other critics arrived. Chino said that I had the massive support of the media, referring to ABS-CBN, Chronicle, Herald, Bulletin etc. And I said the Manila Times was the only newspaper in the Philippines that mattered. He then laughingly declared he was going to sell The Manila Times and I answered in mock-seriousness that I would organize a group to buy it.
Delegate Napoleon Rama arrived to loudly announce “The President is not coming to see you” then recoiled in shamed silence when he saw me laughing at him.
But later I pulled Chino off to a comer to talk to him seriously. I asked him to help me unite the country at least for the last year and a half of my administration.
He asked me to announce that even if I should be nominated I would not run.
He asked me what I was willing to do to convince people that I was not interested in reelection. I answered, anything provided I was not humiliated.
He claims that he is convinced that I am not going to run but that we had to convince the people. Specially since the people wanted a change of leadership. And that the next President would not be a Nacionalista. I kept my counsel to myself.
And I thought I could trace suspicion in his voice when he asked me what I would do if the peace and order situation deteriorated. Immediately I told him I would follow the advice of the Supreme Court. Perhaps suspend the writ of habeas corpus and arrest a few people but that at the end of 1973 even if there were a revolution I would step down.
He commented, “But you have to straighten things up before you step down.” And I answered, “That would be the purpose but I would still step down.”
We ended up with the agreement that we would continue the dialogue.
I left before dinner.
I talked to Chief Justice [Roberto] Concepcion extensively on Russia and the means to catch up in the back log of cases in the courts. He was the unofficial guest of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Soviet Union who was one of the contemporaries of [Vladimir] Lenin. He felt that the Russians sincerely want diplomatic relations with us; their farmers are in the state our farmers were in 1900; a Stalingrad collective of 11,000 hectares produced only in 6,000 hectares 500,000 rubles worth of wheat, each ruble worth one peso—or about $70,000—a harvest that is rather low.
I explained to him that we would not be able to negotiate diplomatic relations with Russia until we can do the same with Red China and we cannot do the latter until the Taiwan problem is settled. But we will trade with both.
On the expedition of cases and trial, he told me of his attendance of trials in New York and London where 97% of civil cases are settled by assessors. He recommend:
More use of pre-trial settlements
More use of assessors
Elimination of records
Use of computers
Held a conference on sugar prices. Felt a conspiracy of [Alfredo] Piding Montelibano [Sr.] and [Antonio] Tony Roxas Chua to raise prices. So I asked PCC [Price Control Council] (Sec. [Troadio] Quiazon [Jr.] and Bung [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.]) to check the adequacy of supply. Increase this year the allocation for domestic market from 30% to 35%. Ordered the wage commission to increase sugar labor wages. Farm laborers P4.75 to P6.50; Mill laborers–P8.00 to P10.00.
Exports incentives study.
9:30 PM June 30, 1972[18]
Friday
Spent practically the whole day 11:30-12:30 AM [sic] and 3-8 PM on a public hearing on the Progressive Car Manufacturing Program in view of the decision of NEC [National Economic Council] reversing the BOI [Board of Investments] including the Universal Motors among the participants in addition to General Motors, Chrysler-Mitsubishi, Delta, DMG and Ford.
In the morning after a game of golf, I attended to the problems of gold-mining, inducted the new colonels and Gen. [Tranquilino] Paranis of Task Force Saranay, said goodbye to Gen. [Mariano] Ordoñez of Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] who is going into farming in Palauig, Zambales decided on Col. [Alfredo] Montoya his Executive to take his place, decided to retire Commodore Lim of PMA [Philippine Military Academy], conferred with Gen. [Fidel] Ramos and Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile.
The Libyan delegation comes in tomorrow. I attach the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] paper on it.
I suggested to Sultan Hassan Dim, the Malaysian Ambassador that the Seato [Southeast Asia Treaty Organization] and the five power [defense] agreement could be reoriented to guarranty [guarantee] the neutralization of Southteast Asia.
[1] Official Gazette for June 16, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS conferred in the morning with the mayors of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte on the peace and order situation in the two provinces. The President warned the Lanao mayors of the presence of communists in their localities, who had reportedly already infiltrated the ranks of both the Ilagas and Muslim organizations. The local executives, accompanied by Reps. Macacuna Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte and Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Sur, called at Malacañang to renew their pledge of loyalty to the President and the government. The President deplored the effort of international media “to interpret the fighting in Mindanao between the Muslims and the Ilagas as an attempt to crush political opposition and eradicate the Muslims who, in turn, are utilizing the fighting to attain their selfish ends.” He assured the Muslim leaders that “we are trying to settle the differences between the leadership and the local groups so that the Muslim leadership will be united.” Among those who called on the President were the mayors of Bacolod, Saguiran, Binidayang, Tugaya Tuburan, Madamba, Tarakan, Bayang, Ramain, Piagapoc, Lumbatan; Masiu, Bubong, Pualas, Balindong, Lumba, Tamparan, Monay, Baloy, and Marawi City; former Governor Linang Mandangan, and Brig. Gen. Mamarinta Lao. Among other callers were the officers of the Confederation of Land Reform Farmers of the Philippines headed by Mac Fabian, whom he inducted into office; and the members of the Southeast Asia Agrarian Reform Study Tour headed by Secretary Conrado F. Estrella of Agrarian Reforms, who paid him a courtesy call. The group was composed of Vice Minister of Land Reform and Agriculture and Fishery Nguyen Thanh Qui of Vietnam, Director-General R. Soebiantoro of Transmigration of Indonesia, Land Reform Commissioner P. S. Appu of India, Land Commissioner K. N. Weerachody of Ceylon, Director C. Narayanasamy of Agrarian Research and Training of Ceylon, Director Khamaruzzanan Bin Abdul Halim of Management Services of Malaysia; Associate Director Sein Lin of John C. Lincoln Institute; and A. N. Seth, regional rural institutions officer of the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok. In the afternoon, the President worked on official papers and went over reports from government agencies, including that of Acting Health Secretary Clemente Gatmaitan, who assured him that all precautionary measures were being taken to prevent the outbreak of diseases in evacuation areas in Zamboanga del Sur.
[2] Official Gazette for June 17, 1972: THE PRESIDENT devoted the whole morning disposing of urgent, official papers preparatory to leaving for the South to assess the peace and order situation in the region. Because of the pressure of desk work, the President was not able to fulfill two speaking engagements. He sent Defense Undersecretary Manuel Salientes to deliver his message for the 27th Annual Convention of the Philippine Veterans Legion, held at the GSIS Social Hall; and Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor to the graduation exercises of the Narcotics Course. conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs at Fort Bonifacio. Among the papers that issued from his desk was a proclamation declaring June 19 a special public holiday in Laguna and San Pablo City. The day marks the 112th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. At 2 p.m., the President, together with the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, motored to Pier 15 at the South Harbor where he boarded the RPS Ang Pangulo for the trip to the Visayas and Mindanao. Before sailing, however, the President wrote a letter to Senate President Gil J. Puyat on the funding of the Constitutional Convention beyond June 30. In his letter the President pointed to the necessity of approving a special appropriation act, which has been passed by the House of Representatives, and pending in the Senate, to enable the Convention to function beyond June 30.
[3] Official Gazette for June 18, 1972: THE PRESIDENT, while en route to Leyte, worked on state papers in his cabin the whole morning and early afternoon. Among other actions, the President signed and submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 11 individuals to the judiciary. He likewise designated eight government officials and private individuals to various posts in the government. The President and the First Lady landed at 5 p.m. at the Tacloban pier. A big crowd of welcomers led by Gov. Benjamin Romualdez met them on their arrival. From the pier, the First Couple motored to the Romualdez resthouse in Barrio Olot, Tolosa, where they usually stay while in Leyte.
[4] Official Gazette for June 19, 1972: THE PRESIDENT and the First Lady had a reunion with their families in Tolosa where the latter attended the symbolic interment early in the evening of the unborn child of the First Couple. Assisted by the First Lady, the President deposited the foetal remains in a nich on the earth at the Romualdez family plot in Tolosa. Inscribed on the marble slab marking the grave were the words: “To our unborn child, with whom so many of our dreams died Ferdinand and Imelda” In the box was a bottle containing the “product of conception,” which the First Couple had lost through the First Lady’s miscarriage. Prior to the interment, a “Mass for the Angels” was said by Msgr. Manuel Salvador, bishop of Palo, Leyte with the little white box placed at the altar. Present at the rites were the President’s mother, Mrs. Josefa Edralin Marcos, his brother Dr. Pacifico Marcos and sisters Gov. Elizabeth Marcos-Keon and Mrs Fortunata Marcos-Barba and her husband. On the Romualdez side were the brothers and sisters of the First Lady, namely, Gov. Benjamin Romualdez, Mrs. Alita Romualdez Martel, Mrs. Conchita Romualdez Yap and Navy Lt. Alfredo Romualdez. Earlier in the day, the President and the First Lady attended the formal turnover and the cornerstone laying, ceremonies of the plant of the Leyte Cooperative, Inc. at Barrio San Roque, also in Tolosa. The plant site, a one hectare piece of land, was donated by the Romualdez Family, The President laid the cornerstone of the electric plant, while the First Lady signed as witness to the turnover by the National Electrification Administration of electric generators to the Leyte Electric Cooperative, Inc. Consisting of 10 General Motors generators with a capacity of 400,000 kva, the electric plant could serve some 100,000 people in 10 towns. The generators were procured by the NEA from the United States stockpile in Okinawa, and were turned over to Gov. Romualdez by NEA Chairman Ramon Ravanzo.
[5] Official Gazette for June 20, 1972: THE PRESIDENT had a series of conferences at the Romualdez resthouse in Tolosa with national and local officials, mostly on urgent public works projects and health programs of the government. Among those who met with the President were Public Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino, Acting Health Secretary Clemente Gatmaitan, Medicare Chairman Pacifico Marcos, Public Works Director Alejandro Belena, Rep. Nicanor Yñiguez and local executive of Leyte, and Ilocos Norte Gov. Elizabeth Marcos-Keon. Commissioner Aquino and Director Delena reported to the President on the status of on-going projects, including the putting up of school-buildings while Secretary Gatmaitan and Chairman Marcos discussed with the Chief Executive the health needs of the country. In the course of his meeting with the public works officials, the President: 1) Ordered the organized distribution of 10,000 schoolbuildings all over the country until the end of Fiscal Year 1973; 2) Directed Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-changco to release ₱10 million for the construction and repair of access roads which link outlying areas to centers of population; 3) Instructed Fisheries Commissioner Andres Mane to intensify the seeding of lakes and rivers throughout the country as a means of meeting the increasing requirements for fish products; 4) Called for the establishment of ice cold storage in places where power has been made available through the rural electric cooperatives; 5) Ordered Animal Industry Director Pedro Refuerzo to review and improve the methods of the cattle dispersal program by considering the setting up of dairy farms to offset the country’s importation of milk products. In his meeting with Secretary Gatmaitan and Chairman Marcos, the President directed the two officials to coordinate in administering to the health needs of the people. In the afternoon, the President sailed for Cagayan de Oro City for the first of several conferences on the peace and order situation in Mindanao.
[6] Official Gazette for June 21, 1972: THE PRESIDENT, together with the First Lady, arrived at Cagayan de Oro City on board the RPS Ang Pangulo. A big crowd accorded the First Couple an enthusiastic welcome on their arrival at the pier. Following the military honors at the wharf, the President motored to Camp Evangelista where he was given a briefing by the military. The President was informed by the military officials that the peace and order situation in northern Mindanao has somewhat stabilized, but he nevertheless directed them to exert more aggressive intelligence efforts against infiltration of hostile elements. The one-and-a-half-hour briefing was conducted by Brig. Gen. Antonio Venades, Task Force Pagkakaisa commander, and Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Encarnacion, Fourth PC Zone commander. Also present were Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Emmanuel Pelaez, Reps. Ali Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte and Vicente Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur, Governors Tarhata Alonto Lucman of Lanao del Norte, Carlos Cajelo of Cotabato, and Concordio Diel of Misamis Oriental, Mayor Reuben Canoy of Cagayan de Oro City, Brig. Gen. Fidel Ramos, PC chief; Brig. Gen. Jose Rancudo, PAF chief; Commodore Hilario M. Ruiz, PN flag-officer-in-command; and Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Castro, Task Force Pagari commander. The President had an interview with newsmen after the briefing and then proceeded to the capitol building for a conference with national, provincial, city and municipal officials. He emphasized to them that the key to the solution of the nation’s problems is production. He also said he was happy to find that the military, with the cooperation of the civilian authorities, had been able to normalize the situation in the Cotabato and Lanao provinces. Following his meeting with the civilian officials, the President set sail for Zamboanga City for the continuation of his on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the South.
[7] Official Gazette for June 22, 1972: THE PRESIDENT and the First Lady arrived in Zamboanga City at 10 a.m. on board RPS Ang Pangulo following an overnight voyage from Cagayan de Oro City. After the usual honors at the pier where enthusiastic welcomers met them, the President motored to the Southwest Command (SOWES COM) headquarters for the briefing. In the course of the open briefing by military and local officials, the President issued an order banning completely the carrying of firearms in Zamboanga del Sur and in the cities of Zamboanga, Basilan and Pagadian even by those holding permits to carry firearms outside residence. Under the ban, only peace officers and members of the Armed Forces who can carry firearms under the rules and regulations may do so outside residence. Even those in uniform but without mission orders may not carry firearms outside the camp, bivouac area or headquarters in said province and cities. As complementary measures, the President directed Brig. Gen. Fidel Ramos, PC chief; to study the establishment of BSDU-type units in all areas where there are threats to peace, and the local officials to submit to the PC chief requests for loan and purchase of firearms for their respective police forces for study. Among those present at the briefing conducted by SOWESCOM chief Capt. Alejandro Castillo and Brig. Gen. Wilfrido Encarnacion, Fourth PC Zone commander, at the Pastor Bonus Seminary in Barrio Calarian, were Senators Emmanuel Pelaez and Mamintal Tamano, Reps. Indanan Anni of Sulu, Felipe Ascuna of Zamboanga del Norte and Vicente Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur; CNI Commissioner Mama Sinsuat, Mayor Joaquin Enrique, Jr., Governor Jose L. Tecson, and all mayors of Zamboanga del Sur. Following the briefing which lasted up to 2 p.m., the President inducted the new set of officials of the MINSUPALA, namely: Senator Tamano, president; Senator Pelaez, chairman of the advisory council; Delegate Teodoro Donato, executive vice president; Commissioner Rolando Geotina, treasurer; Reps. Indanan Anni of Sulu, Lorenzo Sarmiento of Davao del Norte and Guillermo Sanchez of Agusan del Norte; and Commissioner Mama Sinsuat, board members. Later in the afternoon, the President and the First Lady sailed for Cebu.
[8] There are first of two entries dated June 22, 1972 is a note on Ninoy Aquino’s article in the Far Eastern Exonomic Review.
[9] S econd entry for June 22, 1972 continues the diary.
[10] Official Gazette for June 23, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS, while en route to Cebu City on the third leg of his inspection tour of the Visayas and Mindanao, gave a resume of his conferences with military and civilian officials of Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga on the peace and order situation in the area. The President told newsmen covering him that, among others, there was a widespread Ilaga movement in the region which had cause both related and unrelated violence in arson, pillage, murder and assassination. He likewise explained that while it was possible there was no Ilaga syndicate, Ilaga organizers from Cotabato had spread the movement to Lanao in 1971 and to Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. The President, accompanied by the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, arrived in Cebu City at 1 p.m. aboard RPS Ang Pangulo and were given a tumultous welcome by some 20,000 people, complete with giant streamers, placards and brass bands. Heading the welcomers was Mayor Sergio Osmeña, Jr. From the wharf the President motored to the III PC Zone headquarters for a four-hour military briefing, during which he directed the military intelligence to employ more aggressive efforts, particularly against subversion, communism and insurgency. After the military briefing, the President proceeded to the social hall to confer with local executives and national, provincial, city and municipal officials on local problems. He forged an agreement between Mayor Osmeña and his chief of police, Abundio Gultiano, by proposing that the police force of the city be cleaned of misfits and undesirables. The President also warned the League of Municipal Mayors of Cebu against the inroads of communism and enjoined them to forget politics and work in unity for the welfare of the public. Following his meeting with the local officials, the President boarded the presidential yacht for his return trip to Manila via Pasacao, Camarines Sur, where he was scheduled to be given a briefing also by the military on the peace and order situation in the Bicol region.
[11] Official Gazette for June 24, 1972: THE PRESIDENT conferred with civilian and military officials of the Bicol region aboard the RPS Ang Pangulo, which anchored off Pasacao, Camarines Norte at 10 a.m. after an overnight voyage from Cebu. At the conference were provincial, municipal and barrio officials of Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte; Major Gen. Rafael Ileto, acting AFP chief of staff; Brig. Gen. Guillermo A. Pecache, deputy chief of staff for home defense; Brig. Gen. Fidel Ventura, chief of the AFP engineer corps; and the chiefs of the major services and provincial commanders of the region. In the course of the conference, the President directed the strengthening of Task Force “Bulusan” which has launched an intensified military operation against dissidents in the area. He likewise ordered the reinforcement of the civic action arm of the task force and the stepping-up of civic action work in the region. “It has always been the policy of this administration that military operations against subversion should go hand in hand with civic action,” the President said. “There can be no security without development and no development without security.” The President impressed upon the conferees, who were brought by motor launches to the RPS Ang Pangulo anchored some 700 meters from Pasacao in Ragay Gulf, of the gravity of the nation’s security problems, the solution of which, he said, requires the participation of everyone, irrespective of party persuasions. Col. Cipriano Ramiro, Jr., commander of TF “Bulusan,” who conducted the briefing, reported that dissidents in the Bicol peninsula were estimated at about 100 armed regulars, 300 combat support units and another 300 support service units. The affected areas where they had mounted intensified operations, Col. Ramiro said, were Tigaon, Ocampo, Sañgay, Buhi and Goa in Camarines Sur; Polangue, Libon, Tiwi and Tabaco in Albay; and Irosin in Sorsogon. Also affected, he said, were the cities of Naga and Iriga. After the briefings, the President heard some of the pressing problems presented to him by local officials, among whom were Reps. Fernando Pajarillo of Camarines Norte, Felix Fuentebella of Camarines Sur, Amando Cope and Roberto Sabido of Albay, Jose Alberto of Catanduanes and Rafael Aquino of Sorsogon; and Gov. Felix Alfelor of Camarines Sur. Following the conference, the RPS Ang Pangulo discharged its guests and hurriedly left the area at 1 p.m. to head off typhoon “Konsing” which was then reported approaching from the western coast of Samar.
[12] This sentence at the bottom of the page is cut off , obscuring some of the words , it does not appear in PCGG transcription.
[13] Official Gazette for June 25, 1972: THE PRESIDENT and the First Lady arrived in Manila early in the morning from Pasacao, Camarines Norte, the President’s last stop in his week-long tour of critical areas in the country. Among his first acts upon arrival at Malacañang was to mobilize national government agencies to help in the evacuation of, and relief operations for, the victims of typhoon “Konsing.” He directed: 1) The National Disaster Coordinating Center at Camp Aguinaldo to send survey teams to typhoon areas; 2) The armed forces to sent out engineer reconnaissance units to look for roadblocks caused by fallen posts and trees and destroyed bridges, and to remove such roadblocks. 3) The Department of Social Welfare to send food, clothing and medicine to some 300 families who had been evacuated by the AFP from Isla Puting Bato in Tondo to safer places at the height of the typhoon. 4) The Department of Health to be on the lookout for possible outbreaks of epidemic. 5) The Department of Public Works to submit a report on damages to public works and infrastructures so that they could be repaired immediately. The President attended to urgent paper work in the afternoon.
[14] Official Gazette for June 26, 1972: THE PRESIDENT summoned Secretary of Commerce and Industry Troadio T. Quiazon, Jr., concurrent chairman of the Price Control Council, for a meeting at Malacañang on the question of sugar supply and prices. During the conference, the President directed Secretary Quiazon to ensure the steady supply of sugar at regulated prices. Also at the conference were Alfredo Montelibano, president of the Chamber of Agriculture and Natural Resources; and Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr.. The President did not receive other callers the whole day, even as he concentrated on urgent desk work. While going over reports on the damage wrought by typhoon “Konsing,” the President issued an order to the Government Service Insurance System to accelerate the payment of mid-year dividends amounting to P25 million, particularly to GSIS members in the affected areas. He told GSIS General Manager Roman Cruz, Jr. to speed up the preparation of the checks in payment of the dividends, saying that member-employees who had suffered reverses brought about by the typhoon needed every assistance in rehabilitating their homes.
[15] Official Gazette for June 27, 1972: THE PRESIDENT received callers in the morning, among whom were Ambassador and Mrs. Pablo Padilla Ramirez of Mexico who paid a farewell call prior to their departure for home. The Mexican envoy, who arrived in the Philippines in October 1971 as his country’s ambassador, has been designated by his government as director-general of the 100 percent Mexican-owned Asufera Pan Americana, a firm dealing on sulphur for fertilizers. During the call, the President expressed the hope that the envoy and his wife had a wonderful stay in the country despite their less than a year tour of duty. In the course of his work on official papers in the afternoon, the President issued Executive Order No. 397 extending the term of the Presidential Commission on Reorganization from July 1 to September 30, 1972. The President deemed the extension of the Commission’s operations necessary in view of the need for the Commission to undertake such informational activities to ensure wider understanding and support of the reorganization proposals. He emphasized it was desirable to maintain the active involvement of the members of the reorganization body “in the consideration of the Integrated Reorganization Plan by Congress and in its eventual approval.” The President directed Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. to issue the necessary directives to the other government agencies with personnel detailed to the Commission for the extension of their detail with the Commission.
[16] Official Gazette for June 28, 1972: THE PRESIDENT had a 30-minute conversation with Dr. D. S. Savkar, director of the Asian Department of the International Monetary Fund, who called at Malacañang to pay his respects before leaving for his home office. During the call, the President informed Dr. Savkar that the Philippines was expecting an increase in exports because of the incentives being given for the promotion of exports. “We have listed down all the countries with whom we have a trade imbalance and all potential markets for our products,” the President said, “and we are moving aggressively and systematizing our local sources.” The President was informed by Dr. Savkar that the adoption of the floating rate has helped create confidence and bring in foreign investments, that the Philippines can achieve from seven to eight percent increase in the rate of growth of the Gross National Product (GNP), and that the direction taken by the country in promoting its export trade was correct. The IMF official was accompanied to the President by Central Bank Deputy Governor Amado Briñas. Other callers received by the President included some members of Congress and local executives who discussed with him matters concerning their constituencies. In the afternoon, the President motored to the Rizal Memorial Stadium where he was guest of honor and speaker at the closing ceremonies of the week-long “Palarong Pilipino.” In his speech, the President exhorted Filipino athletes to concentrate on certain sports events where they, because of their physique, would not be at a disadvantage in international tournaments. He expressed the belief that Filipino athletes can compare in skill and excellence with the best and the most renowned in the world. The joint-sponsorship of the “Palarong Filipino” by the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation and the Sports Development Foundation of the Philippines, the President said, was a perfect example of how much an idea can be carried out.
[17] Official Gazette for June 29, 1972: THE PRESIDENT had a crowded morning schedule, topped by a conference with representatives of the sugar industry, headed by Alfredo Montelibano, president of the Chamber of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Discussed during the conference was the question of increasing the minimum wages for the sugar industry workers to enable them to cope with the rise in prices of prime commodities. Following the conference, the President ordered the Wage Commission to make an upward revision of the minimum wages for sugar industry workers by increasing the minimum wages from P4.75 to P6.50 daily for farm workers and from P8.00 to P10.00 for industrial workers. The President likewise instructed the Price Control Council to submit complete data and statistics on the supply of domestic sugar and the effect of the proposed increases in wages on domestic sugar prices, in order to arrive at a realistic ceiling price for the commodity. Present at the conference were Secretary of Commerce and Industry Troadio T. Quiazon, Jr., concurrently chairman of the Price Control Council; Sugar Quota Administrator Jose Unson, Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco, Jr., PCC Director Maximo Belmonte, Nicanor Fuentes of the National Economic Council; and Alfredo Montelibano, Carlos Ledesma, Antonio Roxas-Chua and Eduardo de Luzurriaga, representing the sugar industry. Toward noon, the President administered the oath of office to Justice Salvador Esguerra as associate justice of the Supreme Court. Present at the oath-taking ceremony were members of the judiciary headed by Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos and Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion of the Supreme Court, and close friends and relatives of the inductee led by his wife, Mrs. Cosmedin Filler-Esguerra. In the afternoon, the President closeted himself in his private study and worked on urgent official papers.
[18] Official Gazette for June 30, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS had a marathon meeting with representatives of the seven applicants to the Progessive Car Manufacturing Program in an effort to get the program off the ground as early as-possible. Following the six-hour meeting after several breaks, the President directed the Board of Investments, the National Economic Council, the Ford Philippines and Chrysler Philippines to submit their respective memoranda on the points raised during the meeting by the Universal Motors Corporation and Renault Philippines in their bid to participate in the program. The President gave BOI Chairman Vicente Paterno, NEC Chairman Gerardo Sicat and the Ford and Chrysler corporations to submit their respective memoranda within a week. Both officials were also asked by the President to submit projections as to dollar allocations needed and the increase in cost of production on the basis of four, five, six and seven participants in the program. Present at the meeting were Chairman Paterno, Chairman Sicat, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata, PES Director-General Apolinario Orosa, Central Bank Gov. Gregorio Licaros, PNB President Eusebio Villatuya, Justice Secretary Vicente Abad Santos, Tetsuro Hashimoto, Harold Hoffman and Jose Na-gay of Chrysler Philippines; Lorenzo Tañada, Victor Gonzales, L. Guzman and Anthony Lee of Universal Motors; Michel Roussotte and Leonardo Siguion-Reyna of Renault Philippines; Allan Foran and Ceferino Follosco of Ford Philippines; Pablo Carlos, Manuel Lorenzo, Silvino Panganiban, Mart del Rosario and Manuel P. Asallo of Delta Motors; Domingo Guevarra, Sr., Domingo Guevarra, Jr., D. Pongos and Mel Amado of DMG; F. Francisco of Francisco Motors; James Yu of Yutivo, and H. Telshaw, Jr. and J. Schmitt of General Motors. Earlier in the morning, the President administered the oath of office to a Court of First Instance judge, a newly-confirmed brigadier general, and 10 colonels in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, at well-attended ceremonies in Malacañang. Sworn in by the President were: 1) Alejandro Boncaros, as judge of the court of first instance of Tarlac, Branch IV; 2) Col. Tranquilino Paranis, as brigadier general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and 3) Lt. Cols. Emilio P. Melendres, Jackson Alparce, Antonio Dumlao, Romeo G. Gatan, Buenaventura Caseñas, Andres B. Ramos, Alexander L. Felix, Antonio P. Uy, and Vicente B. Eduardo,.as colonels in the Philippine Constabulary; and Lt. Col. Eric Nubia, as colonel in the Philippine Army. The President also signed into law House Bill No. 1211 (Senate Bill No. 513) which provides that “no reserve officer of the armed forces of the Philippines who has served, or will serve, in a foreign country in compliance with treaty obligations or international commitments shall be reverted to inactive status.” Among those who witnessed the signing were Reps. Jose Alberto, Rafael Aquino, and Constantino Navarro and Brig. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief. In the afternoon, the President directed Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco to release ₱350,000 to the Constitutional Convention in accordance with the policy to release as much fund as are available and which could be utilized by the Convention up to June 30, 1972. The President also told Commissioner Sy-Changco that only ₱262,500 of the ₱5 million requested to be released to cover the proposed contract for the printing and binding of the Journal of the Convention shall be released because only this amount has been authorized for the printing of the Journal under Republic Act. No. 6427.