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.
Official Gazette for June 15, 1972: THE PRESIDENT met at luncheon with provincial governors, city mayors, Cabinet members, and heads of government agencies, during which he called for closer coordination and mutual help between local and national officials in the interest of the general welfare.
The President stressed that a regular meeting among local and national officials could “lay the basis for rectification and correction of any governmental malfunction arising from non-cooperation and lack of coordination.”
He emphasized that programs and plans must be systematically organized by each province and city so that funds could be released on a national scale.
The President explained that “planning is the basic staff for any kind of activity and unless we plan and prepare such objectives, we will always be lopsided in our efforts to accelerate economic, social, and political development.”
Among those who attended were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretaries David Consunji of Public Works and Communications, Troadio Quiazon, Jr. of Commerce and Industry, Vicente Abad Santos of Justice, Clemente Gatmaitan of Health, Arturo Tanco, Jr. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Juan Ponce Enrile of National Defense, Estefania Aldaba-Lim of Social Welfare, Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco, NEC Chairman Gerardo Sicat, and DBP Governor Leonides Virata.
Earlier in the morning, the President received the members of the Barangay Dance Troupe who paid him a courtesy call following their arrival from Australia where they fulfilled a 100-day engagement. The troupe performed in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. Mrs. Paz Cielo Belmonte, directress, told the President that “we feel we had done much for our country through music, songs and dances.” The President congratulated the members of the troupe and expressed the hope that they will keep up the good work.
The President devoted the rest of the afternoon and early evening to desk work.
The first page of this entry p. 2135 is missing. This page is a continuation of a meeting discussing strategy in dealing with the Quintero bribery allegations linking the First Lady.