The entire country continues to speculate on my visit to the brothers Lopez. The comments all seem favorable specially after my statement that I have reestablished my friendship with the Lopezes for national unity in view of the national interest.
The opposition is still in a state of shook while the Nacionalistas are jubilant.
[Gerardo] Gerry Roxas and [Benigno] Ninoy Aquino [Jr.] are meeting with [Eugenio] Iñing Lopez [Sr.] on Sunday. But Kokoy [Benjamin Romualdez] has been told not to be concerned as Iñing will make no commitments. And that whatever obstacles to the rapprochement will be overcome.
The general impression is that I have just accomplished a political coup! As Gerry Roxas is supposed to have said: “Titiklop na yata tayo.”
Ninoy Aquino has charged that the mines in North Vietnam were staged from the Philippines Subic Naval Base of the U.S. in violation of the Bases Agreement that the use of the bases for military operations requires consultations with the Philippine government.
I ordered Sen. [Carlos] Romulo to clarify this with the U.S. Embassy who quoted the Pentagon statement that “the mine laying operation was not staged from Subic. Only the mines come from stocks at Subic—just as virtually all the bombs and shells used by the Navy in Indo-China come from Subic, the principal supply base for the 7th fleet.”
I attach the papers.
Official Gazette for May 12, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS spent the whole day on urgent desk work.
Among other actions, he signed and forwarded to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 15 persons to positions in the judiciary.