Official Gazette for March 20, 1973: THE PRESIDENT has approved the resolution of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) limiting the scope of price control to basic commodities that are consumed by the low-income groups to enable a more effective supervision of price control activities. The NEDA explained that government regulation of prices must not necessarily choke business into an intolerable cost price squeeze. It also said .that price fixing is being utilized at present merely as an interim measure. In the long run, prices can only be reduced or maintained at tolerable levels by expanding production and improving the distribution system, it added. The commodities included in the scope of price control are food—rice, corn, wheat flour, some basic cuts of meat (fresh), canned fish, sugar, condensed milk, evaporated milk, infant dietetics and cooking oil; Clothing—ordinary fabrics, fuel arid light, kerosene and some oil products; Medicine—antibiotics and some selected drugs and medicines; Household supplies—laundry soap, construction materials, cement, fertilizer and animal feeds.
SECRETARY OF JUSTICE Vicente Abaci Santos suggested to the insurance commissioner the filing of a plea with the proper court—together with the surety firm’s motion for approval and acceptance thereof as an amendment to the existing bail bond—to comply with a directive in Letter of Instruction No. 40 which recalls all existing bail bonds. Letter of Instruction No. 40 provides that every bail bond for the provisional release of the accused in every criminal case shall contain a stipulation that the surety firm and the accused agree that, in case the accused jumps bail or fails to appear for trial despite due notice to his bondsman, his absence will be deemed an express waiver of his right to be present. He pointed out that the directive that all existing bail bonds shall be recalled does not require that all such bonds be detached from the “expediente” (records) of the case so that it can be returned to the surety firm for amendment. He said that the existing bail bond shall remain in the records and a new one containing the stipulation in question, with the conformity of the surety firm and the accused, should be filed.
MALACAÑANG released the official text of Presidential Decree No. 154 providing that “no stockbroker using the facilities of any stock exchange shall charge, collect or receive a commission of a more than one per cent of the value of each transaction, whether a purchase or sale, but in no case shall the commission be less than P20 for a transaction.” The Securities and Exchange Commission shall have the power to study and adjust from time to time the rate of commission established by the decree to conform with the prevailing conditions when the same is necessary in the public interest, but in no case shall the change of rate be more than once a year. The decree takes effect immediately and modifies or repeals accordingly, any law, executive order, rule or regulation in conflict or contrary to it.
BUREAU OF CUSTOMS issued an ultimatum to delinquent importers, exporters, and shipping companies to settle their accounts within the prescribed deadlines. Shipping companies which have arrears in tonage, berthing, storage and other fees are given up to May 31, while big time importers and exporters were given up to June 30 to settle delinquent taxes and duties. The bureau warned that those whose schedule of payments are approved but who fail to show “appreciable interest” in paying their accounts will be immediately charged in court. All port collectors were ordered to report progress of all pending seizure and protest cases from which the government is expected to earn more revenues.
THE PRESIDENT has issued Proclamation No. 1122 declaring some 1,590 hectares of public land in Guadalupe, Agusan del Sur, as a Monobo civil reservation, to protect the minority group from encroachments by other settlers. The area—one of the many scenes of conflict between minority groups and Christians—is bounded by the Agusan del Sur municipalities of Simagat and Guadalupe, the Davao–Agusan national road, the Bayuga and Labao rivers and the Tagminiang creek. The presidential proclamation would benefit the Manobo tribes scattered all over the affected area. The reservation is subject to valid private rights existing at the time the proclamation is issued, if any there be, under the administration of the commissioner of National Integration, in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
CIVIL SERVICE examinations for junior and senior stenographers scheduled in Manila on May 6 will also be given in Cebu City and Davao City on the same date, it was announced by the Civil Service Commission. Cebu City and Davao City examinees should file their applications with the local examining committees in those cities not later than April 18. For Manila examinees, applications must be filed with the Civil Service Commission, E. Rodriguez Sr. ave., Quezon City, not later than March 30.
The Insurgents have taken the town of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, seven kilometers from Pagadian. There are 500 of them from Karomatan, Lanao del Norte. The PC [Philippine Constabulary] have failed to dislodge them. So Col. Alcoseba is going to use a battalion (Kamagong) to hit them.
Commodore Fernandez whom I called to Manila has reported this. He also reported that about 300 insurgents have cut the Jolo-Bilaan Road, the road that goes to Talipao of Mayor Tulamie and Luuk.
I have directed that the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] does not initiate any operation but leave the initiative to the civilian local executives but that we should authorize an increase in special policemen—sufficient to overcome the enemy.
I have also ordered Air-Navy coordinaiion to block the sea lanes from Sabah.
We are preparing a briefing for Mrs. Katherine Graham, owner of the Washington Post and Newsweek.
I attach the curriculum vitae of her party. And the briefing papers for her in XLV-D.
Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile briefed the Supreme Court (the Chief Justice was absent—apparently feeling bad) on the Mindanao situation. The Justices were impressed by the rebellion in the area supported from outside.
I have approved the Monetary Board Resolution on the Repatriation of Investments.
600 Russian tourists are here. All the hotels are full. We need more hotels.