I spent the whole morning in conference with Sec. [Carlos] Romulo and [Juan] Ponce Enrile on the installation of long range ballistic missiles. And we decided or confirmed my decision to hand to Amb. [Henry] Byroade a letter indicating that consultations with and agreement by our government is necessary before installation in U.S. bases.
The two departments will now make a study in depth of the whole range of questions raised by the subject of nuclear weapons and long range ballistic missiles.
We also took up the possibility of employing my emergency powers in view of the expansion of the Communist Party—the suspension of the writ or even martial law.
Sec. Romulo says because of the lack of discipline of our people, a dictator may be necessary when Sec. Ponce Enrile indicated that some officers in the Armed Forces want to take over the government to maintain the present system and as a matter of selfdefense.
Attended the inauguration of the new building and press of The Daily Star at 5:30 PM.
Then a press interview.
And a conference at [Bahay] Pangarap with the intelligence agents of Task Force Lawin on the Sparrow units now operational in the Metropolitan urea.
I attach some reports on this.
Official Gazette for May 23, 1972: THE President went over state papers in his private study, in the course of which he signed the designations of 112 officials and individuals to various posts in the executive departments of the government.
Heading the list of designees were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., as part-time member of the board of governors of the Development Bank of the Philippines and as chairman of the Power Development Council; Troadio T. Quiazon, Jr., as secretary of commerce and industry; Estelito Mendoza, as solicitor general; Cesar E. A. Virta and Apolinario Orosa, as members of the Joint Legislative-Executive Tax Commission; Efren I. Plana, as undersecretary of justice; Ponciano G. A. Mathay, as chairman of the Oil Industry Commission; Dr. Pacifico E. Marcos, as chairman of the Philippine Medical Care Commission; Armand Fabella, as chairman of the Commission on Reorganization; Gerardo Sicat, as member of the board of regents of the University of the Philippines; and Gen. Felizardo Tanabe (ret.), as postmaster general.