May 1, 1973

To my beloved Imelda,

On our 19th year of wedded life, we are long pas ceremonial gifts and words.

For we have plumbed the depths of joy and sorrow.

Even you Imelda, with the delicate cameo-like beauty, have felt the pain of tears—the threat of death ever close.

So to us things and creatures have no meaning except as symbols.

Therefore I shall offer no gift of worldly price—no gold, no gems,

But my whole life’s work I tenderly hold to lay lovingly at your feet, with adoration, The New Society—the New Philippines.

All my dreams, a bright and brave new world.

Forever I shall love you,

Ferdinand

12:00 PM May 2, 1973[1]

Wednesday

Philippine Air Force Day—28th Anniversary. There is self-reliance. “If you want protection, protect yourself.”

1:15 AM May 3, 1973[2]

Thursday

Gen. Ali Murtopo, Pres. Soeharto’s foreign policy adviser, has issued a statement that the Philippines drop the claim to Sabah to cool off tension.

I called up Amb. [Modesto] Farolan this noon (at about 1:00 PM) to hand carry the teller to which I added some diplomacy and the question as to what guarranty [sic] is there that the dropping of the claim would be followed by the cessation of aggression.

I asked that the Malaysians now pull out the men and arms they have injected into Philippine territory in illegal aggression.

I asked for a delay of the meeting of our plenipotentiaries until we have liquidated the insurgency in the south.

We may have to plan for the eventual confrontation with Malaysia.

12:30 PM May 4, 1973[3]

Friday

Finished the conference for the shift of responsibility for peace in Cotabato to the civilian officials and negotiations for the surrender for the rebels at 12:00 PM.

I attach the orders.

Met the Foreign Policy Council at 1:00 PM on the Sabah question on the sending of plenipotentiaries to meet the Malaysian representatives on the Mindanao Sulu problem in Indonesia. Talked to Amb. [Modesto] Farolan. [Adam] Malik has indicated willingness to postpone the date from May 7th.

Letter from Tungku Abdul Rahman. 9th Islamic Conference through Ambassador from Saudi Arabia.

11:30 PM May 5, 1973[4]

Saturday

9:30. Directors of AIM [Asian Institute of Management].

9:45 AM. Sec. [Carlos] Romulo and Amb. [Eduardo] Romualdez. The latter feels that the spiriting out of Mrs. Raul Manglapus through Kuala Lumpur was through Clark Air Force Base, and a CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] project. He feels that the Americans did not learn their lesson in Vietnam’s (the assassination of Ngo Yeng Diem [sic] [Ngo Dinh Diem] has been confessed to by Amb. Lodge as an American project) and that they are protecting alternative leaders to take my place.

I feel he may be too apprehensive but we are taking precaution and looking into all CIA operations.

Madrigals—I asked Danny [Daniel Vazquez] and Ising [Maria Luisa Madrigal-Vazquez] to make a listing of their properties to which Tony [Antonio Madrigal], Belek [Jose Madrigal] and the others can comment.

VTR [videotape recording] of the Pulong Pulong Sa Kaunlaran on Foreign Affairs.

We may have to hasten the process of normalizing by:

Conducting elections of an Advisory Legislative Council under the supervision of the Comelec [Commission on Elections] by the Citizens Assemblies.

The old newspapers must be investigated formally and their closure directed after formal hearing.

The same for other media.

The financiers and oligarchs who may finance farther violence should now be neutralized.

Formal charges have to be filed against [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.], [Jose] Diokno, [Gerardo] Roxas, [Ramon] Mitra, Manglapus even if the trials may be delayed.

We must now reduce the number of detention prisoners.

Continue the reorganization of the government.

Push away the capitalists trying to get close to me.

12:45 PM May 6, 1973[5]

Sunday

Corregidor Day. Slept last night on the 777. Started for Corregidor at 6:30 AM for the morning ceremonies. Decorated the horses of Mindanao and paid special attrition to the Muslim platoon of 54 men.

Then spent the noon to 6:00 PM at Talaga waterskiing. The Southeast Asian champion V______ Romualdez of the International Pipe.

The new Deputy Chief of the 13th Airforce Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Maron also came.

The waves were a little higher than usual.

12:45 PM May 7, 1973[6]

Monday

Met several groups of leaders and visitors.

International Organization of Travel Agents—11,000 members

Superintendent of Schools

Ustadts and Ulamas from Sulu brough in by Harun Usman and Gen. Jose Rancudo

Luncheon and kickoff for the Integrated Bar Association

At 9:00 PM I met the Ustadts and Ulamas again

I believe this will solve the Muslim problem.

Written May 9, 1973 May 8, 1973[7]

11:30 PM because Tuesday

I slept at 11:30 PM

Last night for a blood and

urine exam this morning

Worked until 4:00 PM on routine matters without lunch.

Had to decide on the policies in Mindanao and Sulu.

Reviewed the reorganization of the executive departments.

Laid down the outline to set up a Legislative Advisory Council and elections by the Citizens Assembly under the supervision of the Comelec [Commission on Elections].

Will organize a new Dept. on Housing. Set up nine regional hospitals for specialization.

Approved the plan of Ex. Sec. O. D. [Onofre] Corpuz to bet up a Development Institute in Tagaytay.

And I approved the plan of Danding [Eduardo] Cojuangco [Jr.] and Romy Gatan to surface Commander Pusa [Benjamin Sanguyo] because apparently his NPA [New People’s Army] comrades know he has surrendered.

11:45 PM May 9, 1973[8]

Wednesday

Directed:

The reorganization of the COMELEC [Commission on Elections] with Sen. [Leonardo] Perez as chairman.

The creation of a Dept. of Tourism with Joe [Jose] Aspiras as Secretary and a Tourism Authority under it to which will be transferred all government lands for development.

Reorganization of DBP [Development Bank of the Philippines].

Normalization of media by the creation of a completely private sector media council and the transfer of the authority to approve travel permits to a civilian group of the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs], Immigration Commissioner and the NISA [National Intelligence and Security Authority].

Meeting of the Land Reform Council which I chairman on Thursday then a cabinet meeting.

Studied the case against [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.]. The Jago [Judge Advocate General’s Office] prepared a trial brief which was badly inadequate. We must hire more competent trial lawyers.

12:00 PM May 10, 1973[9]

Thursday

Dinner after golf and swimming with Amb. Loyd Hand.

He feels only some spectacular event can save Pres. [Richard] Nixon from the Watergate case.

I believe the U.S. Press has just about set back the American nation in prestige and credibility they may not be able to recover.

The news is spreading like wildfire. Oil has been discovered by PODCO [Philippine Oil Development Company] in the Mandurriao, Iloilo drilling on land at the airport. I called Jose Maria Soriano who came running when I was at the 8th hole and told me there were “oil stains” at the core but the team from Singapore is arriving tomorrow evening to test if the oil is commercial.

We should know by Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime the stocks have started to move.

Cotabato leaders—to help in the negotiations for peace.

Joe [Jose] Aspiras and Gov. Ben Palispis.

Interview by Mr. Nathan of the Hongkong Standard.

Video Taping of the Prayer.