I came in at about 8:20 AM for the meditation which started at 8:15 AM, late because I had to settle several matters before I could go into retreat, one of which was the wish of the children to go back to Manila inasmuch as they had nothing to do since none of their crowd had as yet come up (they are expected tomorrow or Thursday). Imelda was upset by the restlessness of the children.
Somehow, this and other problems that have arisen in the last month, has made my retreat more urgent. I have to think out the plans that I have drawn up. This includes the report on increased subversion, the arson, the acts of terrorism in the Metropolitan area, the continued shipment of arms for the subversives, their recruitment and training and the renewed activities of the front organizations. And we have had to review the eventual used [sic] of the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and even the proclamation of martial law.
So I talk to God in my retreat asking for guidance knowing that he sees me as I am—a man with his strengths and weaknesses. I keep no secret from him as he has watched me in my nakedness.
More than the reading and the thinking it is this quiet and continuous conversation God that I attain.
I have just come from the chapel where I prayed fervently that he may be with me always.
Written below MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA
Official Gazette for March 28, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS took the day off from his usual schedule of callers to attend to urgent state papers filed on his desk.
In the process, the President issued a proclamation declaring the third week of April this year as “Pest Control Week.”
Among other things, he also submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 16 officials to various posts in the Department of Education and the Department of Justice.
Acting Secretary of Education Juan L. Manuel heads the nominees in the Department of Education.
The President worked on his desk the whole day and only broke off to attend to some unscheduled callers who consulted him on the problems of their respective departments.