We must find out the actual contributions to the Communist Party of the oligarchs like Iñing Lopez who has met with Commander Dante [Bernabe Buscayno] the NPA [New People’s Army] supremo thru the intercession of Rep. Ramon Mitra Jr. who was in turn introduced to Dante by Rep. [Jose] Aping Yap of Tarlac (2nd Dist.).
Since I have decided to turn the local elections this year into a referendum on my leadership and policies, we will have to prevent any outbreak of violence that may lead to repressive measures or even martial law before the November elections.
By that time I hope the Cons. Con [Constitutional Convention] shall have acted on the two basic questions of the form of government (whether presidential or parliamentary) and the extension of congressional terms so as to allow synchronization of elections in 1975.
The Republic magazine is presently publishing a series of articles on the Lopez economic empire and how it has grown through the use of political power and the media that they control.
It is an eye-opener to almost everybody. And since it is well documented and supported by incontrovertible facts, it is causing quite a stir.
Now most people know why I could not stomach them anymore.
I attach one of the original copies of the complete article (typewritten).
I have been able to work on my book, “The Democratic Revolution (of the Philippines)—My Fighting Faith.” Am now on Philippine Democracy.
As usual the Senate has been used by a Liberal Senator, Benigno Aquino, as a staging ground for scurrilous attacks against me—“I charge that there was an unholy conspiracy between
Official Gazette for June 28, 1971: While enroute to Ormoc City, President Marcos confined himself to his cabin on board theRPS 777 the greater part of the day and disposed of piles of state papers he brought along with him in the trip.
The President and the First Lady went out to the deck at about midmorning to view the coastline and see just how far the ship has sailed during the night. After conferring briefly with some Malacañang aides, the President returned to his cabin and started his paper work.
In a speech read for him by Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, at the opening of the 3rd National Representative Assembly of the Kapisanan ng mga Kawani ng Pamahalaan, held at the SSS building in Quezon City, the President said that the seeming national consensus for change is meaningless, and will remain no more than the “rhetoric of change,” if the people do not first of all change themselves. He said that those who call for sweeping change in disregard of the rights of the people in a democratic society do not seek democratic change. The Filipino people, he said, “are prepared for heroic measures, but they must not be deluded into believing that the sacrifice of their freedom is the best way to improve their economic and social conditions.”
Mr. Marcos and Ysmael in sordid transaction.” This is in relation to the consolidation of the debts of Felipe “Baby” Ysmael in the DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines] and alleged over valuation of his collateral which was given as a “dacion en pago” for the satisfaction of his debts of P74.7 million.
And to think that Ysmael had to take out a quarter page advertisement for an open letter to me identifying himself as a campaigner of 1965 and complaining that he could not get an appointment with me. The truth is I have refused to see him. He has turned out to be a pest.
It makes my blood boil that the senator whom I have called in the past a “congenital liar” and a “Huk coddler” can hide behind the protective screen of parliamentary immunity.
For this is indeed a false and vicious charge.
And the Senate, notwithstanding the serious problems that can be solved by legislation, wastes its time on petty politically oriented debate. It has not done any work at all and they are halfway on the 30 day special session.
One cannot but agree with some critics of democracy about its many weaknesses and failings.
But we have to be patient and withstand these unprovoked and malicious attacks.
As usual the newspapers find profitable material in this for their morbid and yellow journalism.
The elections for the officers of the Cons. Con take place tomorrow. And I am glad I am out of Manila. Speaker [Cornelio] Villareal I sent to Korea on the inauguration of President Park Chung Hee.