The British ambassador presented his credentials at 10:00 AM.
Met Andy [Andres] Soriano [Jr.] on the Herald. He is ready to stop publishing the Herald provided Channel 13 and their radio stations operate. He is ready to have the ownership become public.
Entry is misdated as November 25.
Official Gazette for November 24, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS appealed to the private sector to join hands with the government and buckle down to work in establishing the New Society based on fairness and equity. In a 90-irinute address before members of the Philippine Chamber of Industries, the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Chamber of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the President urged his hearers to discard their “wait and see” attitude and find their place in the scheme and pattern of things under the New Society. The President allayed fears of a government take-over of private enterprises which, he said, is based on mere speculations. He said the government has never contemplated nor is contemplating the take-over of private enterprise, nor deprive private industrialists of hard-earned assets.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE condoning all delinquent tax accounts amounting to P100 or less and granting tax amnesty on contested assessments subject to certain conditions, was issued by the President. The decree is in line with the President’s policy of affording taxpayers with delinquent accounts and pending contested tax cases a final opportunity to settle their tax obligations.
COMMISSIONER OF Internal Revenue Misael P. Vera said that President Marcos decided to issue several tax decrees in order to “build a strong and viable economy.” Commissioner Vera said that the President’s intent is to “infuse discipline among the taxpayers by calling upon them to make truthful voluntary disclosures and giving them a chance to admit and correct their past mistakes.”
HIGHLIGHTS of the new National Internal Revenue Code which he signed into a decree before a gathering of members of the Philippine Chamber of Industries, Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was announced by the President. Some of the features: 1) the code alters the entire administrative machinery of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; 2) the principal increase in taxes is in the estate and inheritance provisions; and 3) non-resident citizens shall pay only once based on the gross percentage which is very much less than what they are paying now.
PRESIDENT MARCOS issued Decree No. 63 which amends the Insurance Act. The President said he promulgated this decree in order “to promote and develop a strong national insurance industry and to provide the necessary operating conditions for its integration in the economic and social development of the country.
BRIG. GEN. Fidel V. Ramos, PC chief, warned unscrupulous military personnel from soliciting or accepting donations from private parties for PC or Armed Forces-connected activities. In a directive sent to all zone, task force and provincial commanders, Gen. Ramos stressed that the practice is not only contrary to the spirit of the Presidential Proclamation 1081 but will also create suspicion in the populace of the armed forces’ intentions. The PC chief likewise directed local commanders to withdraw all appointments of police forces as deputies of the Land Transportation Commission. Gen. Ramos warned all police forces that further possession and use of the cancelled deputizations shall constitute violation of Proclamation 1081 and may be considered as crimes involving usurpation of authority, rank, title, and improper use of name, uniform and insignia.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Alejandro Melchor issued a memorandum requiring the coursing of all matters involving local governments through the Department of Local Governments and Community Development. “All concerned, particularly local government officials, shall be guided accordingly,” said the memorandum which was in line with Letter of Implementation No. 7 dated November 1, 1972.
Asked him to get PICOP [Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines] to use native raw materials like pine trees. And directed Sec. Bung [Arturo] Tanco [Jr.] to bring the suppliers of these raw materials and the pulp and paper companies together.
Then at 11:00 AM spoke to the businessmen of the three chambers (Industries, Agriculture and Commerce).
I attach copies of the speech and notes.
During the speech I signed as decrees the new Internal Revenue Code, the amnesty for all undeclared wealth and income up to Mar. 31, 1973 and the condonation of all accounts P100 and less on a compromise, the last two also decrees.