Official Gazette for March 15, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS started the workday at his desk as usual, than at midmorning disengaged to address two gatherings.
First, the President motored to Camp Aguinaldo, where he was guest of honor and speaker at the 9th anniversary rites of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Supply Center (AFPSC).
In his speech, the President expressed confidence that the Filipino “can do great things in the face of the impossible,” including (meeting the nation’s need for change, provided, he said, there is common purpose and unity of effort, performed with “a high sense of duty and honor.”
He took cognizance of the achievement of the unit, when he noted that it has demonstrated its ability to fill the needs of the military through innovation and ingenuity in the absence of tools, equipment, and funds.
In solving the country’s problems, compounded by the imperatives of change, the President said, “a soldier or a plain citizen can contribute invaluably to the democratic revolution I have envisioned not through extraordinary feats but simply in the fulfillment of obligations as citizens or as public servants.” (See pp. for full text of the President’s speech.)
The President later toured the AFPSC’s sprawling plant and warehouse complex, including the section which builds components of the Marcos pre-fabricated schoolhouses, and various exhibits of modern weaponry as well as the emergency dispensary clinics used during disaster operations.
From Camp Aguinaldo, the President proceeded to the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion where he addressed the provincial, municipal and city treasurers and assessors of the Philippines, on the occasion of the group’s 53rd annual convention.
In his address, the President urged the said officials to pursue the ideals of the democratic revolution by serving faithfully as public servants and as prime movers of national development.
He described the urgency of instituting reforms, stressing some of the most crucial changes needed, including the more equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth so that the few who are rich may not get richer, while the average and the poor citizens may enjoy more advantages; the broadening of land reform; the implementation of mass public
On board the TP 777 Monday
on the cruise for the
Sultan of Pahang
They are still dancing at the heli-deck on this cruise for the Sultan of Pahang (the biggest state of Malaysia). He has his 4th wife with him and his 2 children with her and his first born, the Crown Prince Eddie. She is an Indonesian actress. She has been singing to us over the mike.
The Sultan has thirty two children. His Crown Prince has seven children but more wives.
He is 69 years old, used to play polo with his children for Pahang until six years ago when he fell off his horse and broke his nose. Since then he has been playing tennis. He played twice in Baguio which he likes a lot and at the Polo Club.
He does not speak English very well and his wife interprets for him.
I addressed the officers and men of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] Supply Center under Gen. [Antonio] Tamayo at 8:30 AM. Then I hurried to meet Anthony Lee and Teddy Peña on the ship-building complex at the Free Trade Zone, Com. [Rolando] Geotina on smuggling and the MIA [Manila International Airport], Com. [Cesar] Lanuza on the APIPI pulp and paper project and Ralph Nubla on the Phil-Asia contract which we are reviewing and various policies on the aromatic tobacco trading.
Then I hurried to the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel to speak to the Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers and Assessors. Sec. Virata had read my prepared speech but I gave what I thought was a stirring speech on the “Democratic Revolution.” This was an audience of
housing projects; the facilitation of the award of land titles to landless farmers; and the prevention of the use of political influence and economic power to advance the interests of a few oligarchs to the detriment of the majority of the people.
The President returned to Malacañang to past high noon.
While engaged in paper work in the afternoon the Chief Executive signed the appointment of Augusto Pacis as city treasurer of Cebu City, as well as submitted to the Commission on Appointments the following for confirmation:
1. Francisco T. Bueser, as auxiliary city judge of San Pablo City;
2. Miguel P. Avestruz, as municipal judge of Daram, Samar;
3. Francisco G. Centeno, as provincial treasurer of Batangas; and
4. Jose R. Vera, chairman, and Asterio Favis, Jesus M. Bondoc, Daniel Visco and Rogelio W. Manalo, as members, of the Board of Assessment Appeals of Manila.
The President also issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 31, 1971, as a special public holiday in the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte.
The date marks the 450th anniversary of the first Holy Mass celebrated in the Philippines. The Mass was held at the island of Limasawa, off the mainland of Leyte.
Among others, the President congratulated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her victory in the recent elections in India. He sent the following. congratulatory message:
“I AM HAPPY TO LEARN OF YOUR EXCELLENCY’S OVERWHELMING NEW VICTORY STOP MRS MARCOS JOINS ME IN CONVEYING TO YOUR EXCELLENCY SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS STOP AS PRIME MINISTER OF A GREAT NATION YOUR EXCELLENCY HAS A VITAL AND HISTORIC ROLE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MANKIND STOP FILIPINOS ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR GOVERNMENTS AND OUR PEOPLES WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF FRIENDSHIP AND TRUE UNDERSTANDING.”
about 2,000 crucial officials in government.
“The ‘democratic revolution’ is the alternative to violent revolution,” I explained “You are the government to many people, so the revolution must start with you.”
“Unless we change and reform, the violent revolution will overcome us.”
In the afternoon, I received the recommendations of Cong. S. [Simeon] Valdez on the reorganization of the PVTA [Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration]; the situation report on the Meralco rates case in the Supreme Court by Com. Jose Evangelista and the RCA [Rice and Corn Administration] Board chairmanned by [Alfredo] Piding Montelibano [Sr.] on the appointment of a new general manager and assistants of the RCA.
The Lopezes now suspect Montelibano of siding with me against them. So we are keeping Montelibano in government. Since Dir. [Federico] Moreno, the brother of Mrs. Nita Lopez (wife of [Eugenio] Iñing Lopez [Sr.]) was there, I am sure the fact that I pulled Piding Montelibano aside and talked to him in a conspirational [conspiratorial] tone and stance will reach the Lopezes and further give cause for suspicion.
Exercised and hit a few balls on the golf course trying to cure a fade, then came to the ship.