There is a typhoon over the Philippines and it is raining. The demonstrators supposed to march from Mendiola have been scattered by the inclement weather. But as of 9:00 PM some twenty picketers were able to enter the Manila Hotel and take over the seats of the delegates at the Convention Hall.
The demonstrators have planned some violence and some disturbances. But my assessment is that the Constitutional Convention opening ceremonies will be undisturbed.
This morning, I told Don Manolo Elizalde that if necessary we would take over The Evening News and I warned him that the alternative is the use of extraordinary powers to counteract the efforts of communists to subvert the government.
Official Gazette for May 31, 1971: President Marcos paid tribute to the war dead, urging the people to carry on with the ideals for which they had fought and died. At the Memorial Day services held at the Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio in the afternoon, the President urged his hearers to “keep our promises to the men who had believed with us but are not here to share our burdens.”
The President decried that the peace the war heroes had looked forward to “remains fragile and fragmented, with the evils and malignancies they had sought to cleanse away with their blood still haunting the world, enslaving or wounding men, if not their flesh, their spirit; if not their minds, their hopes of a brighter day.”
Refusing to concede that all that these heroes had died for had been nothing, the President stated that “perhaps the world is what it is today, wracked by suspicion and prejudice, by hostile conspiracies and mindless violence; moved by greed and lust for power; because the idea of human brotherhood and common dignity has not yet reached its time.”
The President exhorted the people to “overcome the dissensions and the jealousies dividing the human family,” to “dominate the tigers that ceaselessly strive to break loose within us and thus make us one of the same pack of predators stalking the weak and the helpless.” He continued: “Let us strive so that we too could live as emblems of conduct, in the way they fought and died.”
Present at the solemn rites were members ;of the diplomatic corps, representatives of 36 participating veterans organizations, ranking American and Filipino military officials and families of the war dead.
Military honors were accorded the President by a company of Philippine Army men upon his arrival at the cemetery gate at exactly 4:00 p.m. The President was welcomed at the steps of the cemetery by U.S. Ambassador Henry Byroade; John F. McLaughlin, master of ceremonies; Dr. Charles Mosebrook, minister of United Methodist Church; (Lt. Cmdr.) James Clark, catholic chaplain; and (Lt. Cmdr.) Richard Smithy protestant chaplain.
Then the President laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by Ambassador Byroade. Some 20 special guests and representatives of veterans, civic and military organizations also jointly made floral offerings.
As part of the observance, the United States and Philippine flags were lowered at half-mast the whole day.
Capping the ceremonies were memorial day prayers delivered by both the Catholic and Protestant chaplains.
Earlier in the morning the President directed the chief of the Philippine Navy to take “strong punitive action” against a PN officer allegedly involved in a gunrunning attempt in Saigon, Vietnam.
At the same time, the President ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to explore with the local Vietnamese embassy by means of regulating the entry into Vietnam of Filipino job-seekers without appropriate working visas. The President issued the twin directives through Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. following receipt of reports of unsavory incidents involving Filipinos in South Vietnam.
The Chief Executive asked both the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the PN chief to submit their respective reports on the action taken by them on these cases.
Then worked on the Project Development office in the PES [Presidential Economic Staff] to study the various investment projects of the government and the private sector and push them along.
Then met the Sulu delegates with Cong. [Indanan] Anni.
Attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the U.S. Battle Monuments at Fort Bonifacio at 4:30 PM. We got soaked in the rain but it was well attended just the same.
Practiced golf at the driving range with the boys.
Then met the congressmen to decide on whom to support for President of the Constitutional Convention. Most if not all are for ex-Pres. [Carlos] Garcia but they left it up to me. We decide tomorrow. Tonight I sent the congressmen to tie down Garcia to a promise to follow our party stand on the constitution: synchronization of elections, unicameral system or a parliamentary form of government, etc.
Imelda made a triumphant visit to Bulacan where her mother’s relatives are. She visited San Rafael and Baliuag. The old and huge houses are her relatives.
She carne back feeling exhilarated by the trip as the people came out to greet her five deep on the streets even if her visit was kept secret. They called her, “Presidenta.”