Met Gerry Montemayor whom I called to the palace. Then got them, Sec. Vicente Abad Santos, to meet him in Pangarap where Abad Santos was waiting.
I have asked the two groups to meet at the palace on Friday at 9:30 AM where they can exchange views freely.
This afternoon there was a spirited exchange between the two. Gerry Montemayor, of course, was exercised by the arrest of his companions not only once but twice. Abad Santos heatedly declared that the law has to be upheld specially after the demonstrators broke into his office, destroying the lock in one door, desecrating the flag inside and taking over his chair and table.
“Boorishness” is what the secretary said caused the incident. Gerry claims that the law is intended to protect the men in society and therefore should be so used and the secretary is using it against the men who are in that society. And Abad Santos fell back on the old principle that the law has to be defended and protected for it is the best and ultimate defense of the weak and the poor.
Gerry then referred to the FFF [Federation of Free Farmers] petition for the investigation, suspension and/or removal of Sec. Abad Santos which I attach wherein they expressed their appreciation for my patience and magnanimity when I received them in Malacañan although they raised their voice, although they hurt me with their words. They implied that Sec. Santos should have done the same but instead he first walked out
Official Gazette, October 28, 1970: The President concentrated mostly on his desk work, although he had a fairly well filled schedule of visitors and one press interview. For most of the morning, the President worked on state papers then toward noon began receiving callers. Later, he sat down for an interview, for radio and TV with Ed Tipton of DZHP.
The President also received among others Reps. Tito Dupaya, Rodolfo Albano, David Puzon, Emilio Espinosa, Jr., James Chiongbian, Emerito Calderon, Eduardo Cojuangco, Artemio Loyola, Herminio Teves, and Celestino Sybio Jr.; Senators Rene Espina and Mamintal Tamano; and Govs. Julian F. Pacificador, Jaime K. Gomez, Cornelio Villareal, Jr. and Elizabeth Keon.
T hrough the afternoon and evening, the President worked at his desk. Earlier, the President directed the Rice and Corn Administration to insure the stability of cereal supply in all typhoon ravaged areas in Mindanao, and to maintain the standard level of prices in the said areas. At the same time, he directed the Philippine Navy to assign one of its ships to service the towns on the eastern coast of Davao del Sur, particularly in the distribution of relief supplies. The President also ordered that any government personnel found using smuggled goods, such as blue seal cigarettes, be investigated and punished.
The President’s order was a reiteration of Memorandum Circular No. 386, which was issued under his authority last August 22, 1970 by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. In that circular, the Chief Executive warned government officials and employees that he would impose severe penalties, including dismissal from office, on those violating regulations against the use of smuggled products.
of their conference and later refused to meet them but instead had them arrested and criminally charged in court.
I judge that my presence is necessary so that something may come out of their meeting other than recriminations.
And I have called the farmer [Romualdo] Bhady whose farm and the right of way through it by the logger, Cuison, caused the controversy. So we can settle it during the meeting next Friday. It would have to be an extra-legal settlement as the case is pending in court and Bhady’s lawyer, Atty. [Camilo] Sabio, is in court for contempt because he made contumacious remarks at the judge and admitted he had ordered the Bhadys to barricade the road notwithstanding the order of the court.
I plan to get all the charges against the demonstrators dropped.
We should start the column in the vernaculars soon—a constructive presentation of what the government is doing.