September 13, 1970

[1] Official Gazette for September 14, 1970 : P resident Marcos stressed the importance of social welfare to development efforts, and recognizing the lack of manpower in this field offered Manila as the site of the Asian regional social welfare research and training –  center. The President made the offer upon declaring open the First, Asian Ministers Conference on Social Welfare, held at the WHO Conference Hall on United Nations Avenue. Later in the afternoon, the President tendered a reception in Malacañang in honor of the delegates to the conference. The President started the day’s work early in the morning with an order to Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., to head a survey party to hard bit Quezon province, to assess its losses from the big typhoon that swept through its northern portion. After working at his desk through midmorning, the President left Malacañang to formally open the First Asian Regional Conference on Social Welfare. In his speech, the President welcomed the initiatives to tighten and widen regional cooperation on social welfare, and offered Manila as site for the first regional research and training center for this field of service. Returning to Malacañang, the President worked for a time at his desk, then received the delegation of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines which formally invited him to be guest of honor and inducting officer when the new set of CCP officers are installed at ceremonies to be held at the Manila Hotel. The CCP group included Simeon C. Medalla , president; Miguel S. Arambulo, Jr., vice president; Wigberto Clavecilla , vice president; Benito L. Medina, secretary-treasurer; and Ceferino L. Benedicto , director. In the afternoon, the President was back at his desk working on state papers. He received the report on the typhoon toll submitted by Secretary Melchor, and promptly fired off orders on the rehabilitation of damaged or destroyed buildings, and on assistance to farmers who lost their crops or livestock. While at work in his private study, the President received definite word from Vatican that His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, will arrive in the Philippines on November 27 for a three-day visit.

[2] Official Gazette for September 15, 1970 : P resident Marcos spent virtually the whole morning at Nichols Air Base, where he waited in vain for clearance to fly to Baler, Quezon with the intention of surveying for himself conditions in the disaster area. But hazardous weather conditions over the vicinity of Baler ruled out a flight for the President to the scene of the disaster. He set another flight the next day, weather permitting. During his stay at the base, he observed the movement of medical teams and relief goods and other supplies which government aircraft will ferry to the stricken province. Later, when he returned to Malacañang at about 11 a.m., the President issued; directives to facilitate the movement of relief goods and other assistance. Through the afternoon, the President worked at his desk as he kept in constant touch with the operations in Quezon, and studied other aspects of the situation requiring immediate action. The Chief Executive: 1. Issued a proclamation declaring November 1970 to November 1971 as Constitutional Reform Year. In his proclamation, he called attention to the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention in November and the amendment of the organic law which, he said, “should be the concern of every citizen of this country.” 2. Created national and local committees to take charge of a nationwide beautification and cleanliness campaign. The creation of the committees was embodied in Executive Order No. 257, issued by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., in recognition of the idea that “beauty and cleanliness are the basic ideals of all homes, communities and nations.” 3. Approved the composition of the Philippine delegation to the ECAFE/UNIDO Asian Investment Promotion Meeting which will take place in Manila from September 23 to 30. As recommended by PES Director-General Placido Mapa , Jr., who is chairman of the Philippine committee on UNIDO matters, the Philippine delegation will be headed by Chairman Vicente Paterno of the Board of Investments. Still on international affairs, the President set the guidelines for Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo, who heads the Philippine delegation at the 25th annual session of the United Nations, on various outstanding world questions. The President specified that the Philippines will take a stand: 1. Against pollution of the environment, especially by nuclear tests in the Pacific and contiguous areas; 2. For family planning and population control; and 3. For greater involvement and participation of youth in international affairs. The President also indicated the current mediation efforts of Ambassador Gunnar Jarring also deserve “our encouragement, having in mind the grave dangers that presently cloud the Middle East.” On this point, the President instructed Romulo to maintain the stance of neutrality, pointing out that neutrality has always characterized Philippine policy on this question. The President also directed the Philippine delegation to support UN activities in the economic and social fileds , which “certainly will be the most relevant undertaking in the lives of millions of peoples, but, more important, prove to be the most beneficial and lasting, of all UN projects.” UN action to alleviate poverty and to eliminate problems of nutrition, housing, education and freer trade deserve unstinted backing, the President also said. He observed as well that the rambling debates that consumes much of the General Assembly’s time should be modified in such a way as to expedite assembly proceedings. As to other specific items in the agenda of the current UN session, the President told the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, “You shall adhere, with reasonable and judicious discretion, to the policy guidelines set forth” by the Philippine Government. In the evening, he had a working dinner with members of Congress to discuss vari ous urgent governmental matters.

[3] Official Gazette for September 16, 1970 : P resident Marcos restated the government policy toward dissidence, saying that economic development and social amelioration are still the best weapons against Huk subversion in Central Luzon. In an informal meeting with newsmen following his conversations with captured Huk Commanders Sumulong , Zaragosa and Legaspi who were brought to Malacañang at noon, the President said that with the recent capture or surrender of more Huks and arms, he looked forward to the early stabilization of peace and order in Central Luzon. The President stated that the recent capture of Huk chieftains, including top dissident leaders, shows the determination of the armed forces in restoring normalcy to the region. Devoting most of his working hours on official papers and other state business brought to him as he worked in his study, the President broke from this routine only three times. The first was when he conferred an award on departing Argentine Ambassador Marco Aurelio Benitez the Order of Sikatuna , rank of  Lakan . The award was conferred on Ambassador Benitez for his contributions to the strengthening of international relations, particularly between the Philippines and Argentina. Specifically, the President pointed to Ambassador Benitez’s efforts to win his government’s support for Philippine proposals in the United Nations and other international conferences, thus rendering this country a great service. Following the award ceremonies, the President received a group of mayors and other local officials of Davao del Norte, during which he enjoined local executives to listen to valid grievances from the people but cautioned them against abdicating their authorities, particularly to radical elements. His last break from his desk work came when he interrogated three ranking Huks captured by the army, including No. 2 Huk Commander Sumulong . From there and all through the day, the President continued to work on state papers. He issued a proclamation declaring all watersheds and lakes within water reservations as game refuge and bird sanctuaries. Consistent with the proclamation, the hunting, taking or killing of wildlife within said watersheds, lakes and inland waters, specified in Republic Act, 2590, as amended, are prohibited. The President also submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation of 52 nominations to posts in the foreign service.  (L ist of nominees in OG .)

[4] Official Gazette for September 17, 1970 : P resident Marcos spent the whole morning at the stricken areas in Quezon, which bore the brunt of Typhoon Pitang , to survey the relief operations going on and further look into the needs of the victims. Flying from Manila in a small plane, the President took along with him his Cabinet, so that any requirements which the Cabinet could meet would be immediately understood and coordinated with the other members of his official family. Arriving at Casiguran at mid-morning, the President first attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the town church, the only building still standing, then toured the town. He issued several directives during the public meeting which occurred spontaneously in the town. The President and his party left Casiguran at nearly high noon, flying back to Manila in about two hours. With the President on the trip to Quezon were Gov. Anacleto Alcala of Quezon, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, Secretary of Social Welfare Gregorio M. Feliciano, Acting Press Secretary Lorenzo J. Cruz, Secretary of Public Works and Communications Manuel B. Syquio , Acting Budget Commissioner Juan Agcaoile , Agriculture Undersecretary Arturo R. Tanco , Jr., PACD Administrator Rosendo Marquez, Highways Commissioner Baltazar Aquino, and Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP Chief of staff. Receiving no callers, the President worked at his desk the rest of the day.

[5] Official Gazette for September 18, 1970 : P resident Marcos further tightened the anti-smuggling drive by creating the National Action Committee on Anti-Smuggling Affairs (NACASA), which will coordinate the functions of the different agencies of the government engaged in anti-smuggling activities. The President formed the committee after it was noted that gaps and inadequacies have hampered the anti-smuggling efforts of the government. Particularly noted was the weakness in intelligence, operations, apprehensions, prosecution and disposition of smuggling cases. The executive order specified that the committee will be composed of the Commissioner of Customs, the chairman of the Anti-Smuggling Action Center, a representative each of the Secretary of Justice, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, AFP chief of staff, and such other government entities that the committee may call, and the commandant of the Coast Guard. The committee will elect from among its members the chairman, who will have a term of three months. Then a new chairman will be elected with the same tenure. The committee is charged with the planning, programming, implementation, direction and supervision of the combined government agencies involved in the anti-smuggling drive. It will also conduct joint investigation and prosecution of all cases involving violations of existing laws, rules and regulations on smuggling throughout the country. The committee will have a permanent secretariat at the ASAC office to be composed of a secretary and two assistants provided by the ASAC. The secretariat’s functions are to: 1. Maintain liaison among the members of the committee; 2. Attend to the implementation and follow-up of the decisions of the committee; 3. Maintain the records and files of the committee; and 4. Prepare and submit such reports as the action committee may direct. The President had only one caller in the morning, Rufino Cardinal Santos, with whom he had a brief talk on the forthcoming papal visit. The rest of the d ay was devoted by the President to his desk work, in the course of which he signed the executive order creating the National Action Committee on Anti-Smuggling Affairs. The President also concerned himself with the relief operations in Quezon province, and studied reports of other state agencies on various matters. In the evening, he had a working dinner once more, this time with finance officials, including Senator Dominador Aytona , chairman of the Senate finance committee. Others at the dinner were Board of Investments Chairman Vicente Paterno and PES Director-General Placido Mapa , Jr.

[6] Official Gazette for September 19, 1970: P resident Marcos had a quiet day of work in his study, with no visitors on his schedule, and no engagements outside of Malacañang. He utilized the whole day to study official papers and to act on urgent state matters. The President named four officials to various city and provincial posts, namely:1. Dr. Ruf in o Ynzon , as acting city health officer of Puerto Princesa City. 2. Dr. Adelina Mil, as acting city superintendent of schools of San Carlos City (Pangasinan). 3. Roldan Alba, as acting provincial treasurer of Abra , and 4. Vicente Lopez, as acting city engineer of San Jose City. The President also issued a proclamation authorizing the Knights of Rizal to conduct a national educational and fund campaign during the period November 30, 1970 through May 30, 1971. The Order of the Knights of Rizal has for its primary objective the training and molding of Filipino youth, with Emphasis on character building, dynamic citizenship, civic consciousness, dedicated and democratic leadership, and enlightened nationalism.

[7] Official Gazette for September 20, 1970: P resident Marcos declared that as the Philippines modernizes her armed forces, “we shall strive just as hard to make the soldier a warm human being and part of the heart and Soul of our country.” The President made this remark before the Enlisted Personnel Association of the Philippines (EPAP), at its 11th anniversary celebration at the SSS social hall. “We are teaching our soldiers to learn the arts of peace, rather than uphold merely the science of war,” the President declared. The Chief Executive recalled that in recent years, his administration has succeeded in bringing the soldiers from the barracks to the farms, the barrios, the towns, to do the tasks of development. “We have trained our soldiers to heal the sick, to aid the unfortunate to teach the ignorant, to build roads and bridges, put up schoolhouses, and keep, the peace,” he emphasized. He also expressed the wish to see more and more of the soldiers responding efficiently and effectively to the needs of the community in times of peace, “when those needs could not be fulfilled by other agencies.” The President regretted, however, the curious paradox that “while we are exerting special efforts to humanize the military man, to purge our country of militarism, there should be sectors of the nation who would rant against so-called militarism.” What discomfits certain critics, he said, was perhaps the fact that the military can be seen everywhere doing useful things, sometimes taking the place of civilians in   doing civilian duties. Except for the speaking engagement which took him out of Malacañang, the President was at his desk most of the morning and afternoon going-over official reports and disposing of official papers needing immediate action. The reports included those from the National Disaster Control Center (NDCC) and from Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manuel Collantes . The NDCC informed the President of the progress of relief and rehabilitation work in the typhoon ravaged municipalities of Disalag , Dinalongan and Casiguran, in Quezon province. Secretary Collantes reported that Madame Girl of India has accepted membership in the governing body of the association for Asian culture, which was proposed by the First Lady, Mrs , Imelda E. Marcos,, in a speech at the Philippine Day celebrations at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan.

[8] Official Gazette for September 21, 1970: P resident Marco turned his attention to such current problems as sky hijacking, the new labor-management dispute at the. Philippine Air Lines, and such development, projects as are being assisted by the The President had opportunity to focus on these problems when he conferred with officials equally concerned about them. The problem of sky pirates was examined by the President with Knut Hammarsjold , director general of the IATA. He paid a courtesy call on the President in the morning, accompanied by Benigno Toda, Jr., president of the PAL. Hammarsjold informed the President that the problem posed by hijacking in the air which was taken up at the; IATA conference should not only be dealt with by the United Nations but individual countries should initiate internal legislation to prevent it. The visiting IATA official submitted to the President his recommendations and proposals on the matter and the President endorsed them for study and evaluation to a technical committee. The President also informed Hammarsjold that in addition to the administrative measures he had taken to prevent plane hijacking, he would seriously consider certification to Congress of the bill sponsored by Sen. Magnolia. Antonino imposing stiff penalty for robberies committed in flying vehicles, amending for the purpose Sec. 294 of the Revised Penal Code. The bill would impose   reclusion perpetua   to death when the crime is accompanied with homicide,   reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua   if followed with rape, intentions mutilation, etc.,   and prision mayor   and   prision correctional. The PAL labor dispute was also discussed when officials of the PAL Employees Association saw the President to press for the early resolution of the workers demands. The group was accompanied by Director of Labor Relations Bureau Amado Inciong . The President asked for time to thresh out the issues with the PAL president. Those in the PALEA delegation were   Fortunato Biangco . president; Eulogio Lerum and Antonio Policarpio , counsel; Egdar A. Lubiano , secretary; and Armando Regala , Eddie Miranda, Isabela Espiritu, Agustin Sarto , Pedro Calderon, Artemio Lopez, Felix Carlitos , Hernando Guevarra and Arthur Tan, directors. Toward noon, John Hannah, US AID administrator, called on the President to pay his respects. The visitor was the President’s guest at luncheon, during which AID-assisted projects here were discussed. Also at the luncheon were local US AID Administrator Thomas Niblock, Ambassador Henry Byroade , Secretary of Education Onofre D. Corpuz , Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Chairman Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council, Agriculture Undersecretary Arturo Tanco , Jr., Deputy Director-General Apolinario Orosa of the Presidential Economic Staff, Chairman Geronimo Velasco of the National Electrification Commission, Mrs. Estefania Aldaba Lim and Minister Richard Finn. In the afternoon, the President concentrated on his desk work. He studied reports on the on-going relief work in the typhoon-devastated areas of Quezon province; and acted on urgent matters brought to his desk.

[9] Official Gazette for September 22, 1970: President Marcos underscored the bright prospects for the nation, with the measures and austerity program of the government justified by the easing of the economic and financial problems of the country. In a speech at the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in the evening, the President pointed out that the difficulties experienced in the recent past were not new to a developing nation, that undue pessimism merely aggravated them, and that “our problems are not insurmountable, provided that we are willing to make temporary sacrifices that go with the solution of these problems.” Toward the end of his speech, the “President was roundly cheered as he announced his signing, of House Bill No. 2175 (S. B. No. 143), otherwise known as the Export Incentives Bill. Before the officers and members of the CCP and their guests, the President reenacted the signing of the measure which became Republic Act No. 6135. In his speech, the President said that the root problem was not the balance of payments, but the nature of the “development process of a country,” which usually incurs a certain amount of trade deficit.” The basic problem was in the structure of the external debt, he said, which was financed by short-term loans after retiring previously contracted debts instead of contracting long-term obligations to finance development projects which have “a long gestation period .” ( F ull text of the President’s speech in OG .) The President once more devoted himself to desk work, with no visitors on his schedule. Except for consultations with aides and other officials, he worked uninterrupted, in his study. He worked through the afternoon, breaking off at around 8 p.m. to attend as guest of honor and speaker at the induction ceremonies of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines held at the Plaza in Makati. While engaged in paper work, the President expanded further the composition of the National Council for Small and Medium Industries by including a representative of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in the council. As originally created the NCSMI is composed of the chairman of the National Economic Council, council chairman; the director of the UP Institute of Small Scale and Medium Industries, action officer and the secretary of commerce and industry, DBP chairman, PNB president GSIS general manager, SSS administrator, and a representative each of the Pilipino Chamber of Small Business and Industries, and the Philippine Chamber of Industries, members. The NCSMI was created by the President last June in recognition of the vital role played by small and medium industries in the economic development of the country, and in line with the policy of the government to assist and protect the interests of these industries and to encourage and development their actual potentials.

[10] Official Gazette for September 23, 1970: P resident Marcos joined ECAFE and the UNIDO in recognizing the limitations of foreign aid and the ever-increasing importance of private investment in assisting the economic growth in developing countries. The President made the statement in his address at the opening ceremonies of the ECAFE/UNIDO meeting to promote specific projects in Asian countries. The week-long meeting started in the morning at the Manila Hilton Coral Ballroom. Expanding on this statement, the President noted that both developed and developing countries are becoming gradually disenchanted over the efficacy and efficiency of foreign aid. This disenchantment has been clearly reflected on the flows of foreign aid in the past few years. The President also proposed that investors from developed countries gear industrial enterprise to regional markets rather than to markets confined to one country. Returning to Malacañang, the President settled down to his usual schedule of desk work, and in-between received visitors. One of the bigger groups to see him was that of the special committee named to take charge of the observance of Aviation Week. Members of the committee who called were CAA Administrator Federico Ablan , chairman; J. J. Wolahan and Cesar A. Mijares , vice chairmen, Francis Ablan , secretary-general; Col. Henry Meider and Epifanio Reymundo , coordinators; and Enrique Davila, Miguel Campos, Enrique Zobel and Sebastian Ugarte, in charge of operations, finance, social affairs and publicity, respectively. Among other callers at Malacañang were Sen. Dominador R. Aytona , Reps. Rodolfo Albano of Isabela, Felipe Almazan of Kalinga Apayao , Emerito Calderon of Cebu, Jose Puyat of Surigao del Sur, and Amando Cope of Albay. The President received these solons separately. They consulted him on problems affecting their constituencies. The President also sent a message to Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, chief minister of the newly independent state of Fiji, welcoming the new state into the family of free nations. Fiji, a British colony for many years, was set for proclamation as an independent state on October 10, 1970. In extending recognition to the new state, President Marcos restated his country’s policy of fostering friendly relations with its neighbors in Asia and the Pacific. The full text of the President’s message follows: The Republic of the Philippines is happy to welcome into the family of free nations the newly independent state of Fiji. On behalf of the people and government of the Philippines I extend to your excellency my best wishes for the well-being, happiness and prosperity of your country and people, and express the hope that relations between our two countries will be characterized by the utmost cordiality and amity.

[11] According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon and Kissinger met with Mrs. Marcos on September 22 from 12:42 p.m. to 1:14 p.m. No other record of the meeting has been found. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files)

[12] While no record of the meeting between Mrs. Marcos and President Nixon are available online, the message delivered could have been the same as that noted in her meeting with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency who was instructed by Nixon to meet with her. Foreign Relations of the U,S,, 1969-1976, Vol XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-72 p. 482ff Memorandum of Conversation as follows: The Director met with Madam Marcos for thirty-five minutes in the evening on 22 September 1970 at her suite in the Hotel Madison. Mr. James Rafferty, Special Assistant to the United States Ambassador in the Philippines, The Honorable Henry A. Byroade , made the introductions and then withdrew. Madam Marcos began her presentation by drawing attention to the forthcoming 10 November 1970 elections for delegates to a constitutional convention in the Philippines, planned for June–July 1971. She said socialist movements sponsored by certain lay and clerical elements in the Catholic Church, particularly the Jesuits, and some Communist fronts are planning to contest administration candidates in the election. She believes that the Marcos Administration could lose the election by default unless a crash program is organized to help it win. She noted that the Church has already picked candidates, either priests or lay persons, for each election district. Should these groups succeed in achieving their objectives, it would change the form of government in the Philippines to Socialism or Communism, with only a few people realizing what the real consequences would be. She underscored her view that Philippine democracy is viable but will not survive unless the United States helps the Marcos Administration through this difficult period. She said the Philippines is a child of the U.S. and illustrated this point by describing Vietnam as a French baby, Malaysia as an English baby, and Thailand as everybody’s baby. She observed that in Asia one’s creditability is not measured by how one treats a friend, but how one  [Page 483] treats his children. She is of the opinion that the United States needs a victory in Asia to maintain its stature there. A victory in Vietnam would be negative, she said, because a U.S. victory in Vietnam is expected, but a victory for those who have and continue to advocate democracy in the Philippines would be a positive one. She pointed out the richness of Philippines national resources, the high literacy rate (85%), and the cosmopolitan make-up of the population, reiterating that something must be done between now and November 1971 to help President Marcos. She revealed that her husband is personally directing the current campaign against pro-Communist guerrilla bands in Central Luzon, commonly referred to as HUKS, and reminded her listeners of his recent successes. Madam Marcos also noted the President’s efforts to meet his foreign financial obligation in order to maintain a creditable international image, but observed that when high interest and principal payments are made, little is left for internal improvement. She called attention to the political and financial pressures on President Marcos and described him as being squeezed and pushed into a corner by his detractors. She described candidates of the socialist fronts led by the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM) headed by ex-Senator Manglapus and the Communists as articulate and clever. She believes these anti-Marcos forces might succeed in their plan to control the constitutional convention. In this event, she said, the President would become a “strong man” because he has no intention of being pushed out by the CSM or the Communists. She has been told that the CSM is being supported by the Adenauer Foundation in West Germany and has sources of succor in England. She also directed attention to Father Ortega who recently resigned as head of Ateneo University in Manila to stand as a candidate for the constitutional convention under the CSM banner. Father Ortega is now in New York soliciting support for the CSM. She disclosed that her visit with Pope Paul VI, while en route to Washington, was not for the purpose of piety but to persuade him to make his visit to the Philippines in the third week of November, which would be after the election, to prevent the Catholic Church in the Philippines from using his visit to further its political ambitions. She said the Pope suggested prayer as a possible answer but he also agreed to delay his visit. After listening to Madam Marcos suggest that the U.S. sometimes helps enemies but forgets friends, i.e., help Germany and Japan but forget the Philippines, Mr. Helms asked what was meant by a crash program. She replied: a. A rural electrification program for the Philippines costing between 300 and 500 million dollars over a ten to twenty year period, announced by President Nixon as soon as possible in order to achieve high political impact. She said it would be understood that the full  [Page 484] amount would be stretched out over a long period of time but she also emphasized that the announcement would have to include the full amount in order to assure maximum political gain. b. A side sum of money for support of some of Marcos’ candidates at the barrio level. c. Support for a better exchange rate between the peso and the dollar. d. Birth control and family planning programs. Madam Marcos said Dr. Hannah of AID, who is now in the Philippines, promised 30 million dollars in aid, presumably for the rural electrification program. She thinks the Asian Development Bank might provide 30 to 50 million dollars and the World Bank another 50 million dollars; some of this latter money would be for birth control and family planning. In response to Mr. Helms’ request for other possibilities, she suggested short-term bank loans and other short-term international credit be extended to long-term loans to ease the pressure of large interest payments. Presumably the money saved would be used for political purposes. She also suggested some consideration be given to manipulating the sugar industry, noting that the sugar barons are giving money to Communists to win their support. Mr. Helms said that he would see President Nixon in the morning on 23 September and would at that time discuss Madam Marcos’ helpful and eloquent conversation. Madam Marcos then said funding the election at the barrio level would mean 4,000 pesos for 35,000 barrios and also asked for more arms and helicopters to enable President Marcos to capture a fourth HUK leader, Commander Dante. She praised the Rockefeller and Ford foundations who, she said, maintained the U.S. image in the Philippines by developing the IR–8 miracle rice. Mr. Helms again said he would discuss the matter with President Nixon. 2  Madam Marcos noted that she might leave Washington on Thursday but was prepared to stay for as long a time as it was necessary to acquire support for her husband. Mr. Helms suggested that it would be proper for the response to her request to come from the White House. Madam Marcos ended the conversation by yet another appeal to “back her and support President Marcos and democracy in the Philippines.” In the morning of 23 September, Mr. Rafferty called the Agency and said that Madam Marcos talked with President Marcos after Mr. Helms departed. President Marcos reportedly said to her that what is  [Page 485] needed is a 300 million dollar stabilizing fund for the peso. 3  President Marcos also said that the 300 million dollars need never leave the United States but would be used to backstop the peso free exchange rate, which, said Rafferty, is in a precarious position. Rafferty had no other commentary to offer as an explanation or clarification, but said that he was merely noting this conversation between Madam Marcos and her husband.

[13] On October 6, 1970 the [secret] 40 Committee [that reviews all U.S. covert operations in foreign countries] met, and among other things, discussed the visit of Mrs. Marcos. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969-1976, Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972, p.48 9 ff Memorandum for the Record by Peter Jessup as follows: 2. Philippines a. The Chairman [Henry Kissinger] reviewed the recent visit of First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos and the web she tried to weave around Washington while here. She had expressed herself to higher authority and Mr. Helms as well as others, throwing curve balls around a leftist threat to the Constitutional Convention, the need for a huge balance of payments loan, high impact projects, i.e. rural electrification and support for her husband’s political campaign. As a result, four questions had been passed to Ambassador Byroade in Manila. He had replied with a 10-page cable on 30 September 1970. b. The Ambassador’s assessment did not support the First Lady’s scare talk. The Byroade analysis was that Marcos was in full control at this time. c. It was also noted that Marcos was allegedly angered by his wife’s freewheeling; none of this had come directly from him and she might be launching personal political ambitions. d. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Helms, and Mr. Packard generally agreed with the [Page 490] Byroade assessment. Mr. Kissinger pointed out that higher authority was sensitive on matters like this and did not want to be told everything was all right only to awaken months later to find the bottom dropping out. Mr. Helms said the basic question was: Do we want at this time to earmark funds for covert support of Marcos candidates at a time when President Marcos—no neophyte at feeding at our trough—had not yet asked for a peso. e. Mr. Nelson pointed out that there were 2400 candidates for about 130 seats and that current information was that the party in power had more than a 50% leverage, the opposition no more than 25%. f. [ less than 1 line of source text not declassified ] Manila was directed to make an independent assessment (considering the worst that could occur) in as much detail as possible and have it ready for next week’s meetings. [ 1 line of source text not declassified ]

[14] Official Gazette for September 24, 1970: P resident Marcos , in a welcome break in presidential routine, met the young men and women who manned the Philippine pavilion at the Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan when they called at Malacañang. Warmly congratulating the “young ambassadors of goodwill,” the President said it was the unanimous observation of those who had gone to the international fair, Filipinos as well as foreigners, that although the Philippine pavilion was a modest affair, it was one of the best remembered. Headed by Victor Lira, the personnel of the Philippine pavilion at the fair called on the President following their recent return to Manila after a seven-month stint at the Osaka fair. They were accompanied by Secretary of Commerce and Industry Ernesto Maceda . Earlier in the morning, the President received Ambassador Yaacob Avnon of Israel who presented him with a copy of the Old Testament in Hebrew and in English. During the call, the Israeli envoy also discussed with the President certain aspects of the technical assistance being extended by his government to the Philippines in the implementation of the Land Reform Code. After the diplomat’s call, the President met a group of farmers, and signed a proclamation reserving 8,221 hectares of disposable public lands located in Barrio Laac , Asuncion, Davao del Norte for the settlement of landless farmers. Present at the signing were Sen. Alejandro Almendras , Rep. Lorenzo Sarmiento, Gov. Verulo C. Boiser and representatives of some 5,000 farmers who had petitioned for the release of the lands. Later in the morning, the President administered the oath to Mayor Juanito Purisima of Maitum , South Cotabato as member of provincial board, filling the post vacated by Fidel Purisima who had filed his certificate of candidacy as delegate to the Constitutional Convention. At the induction were Gov. Sergio B. Morales of South Cotabato, Mayors Honorio Cornejo of Tupi and Irineo Barroso of Tampacan , and other leaders of the province. Then the President repaired to the state dining hall where he was briefed by the Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems composed of representatives of various government agencies. The committee is charged with formulating solutions to land disputes in different parts of the country. The briefing was conducted by Undersecretary of Agriculture Arturo Tanco , Jr., action officer of the committee. The President was kept busy by conferences and callers until 2:30 p.m. Other callers included Shoul N. Eisenberg, president of the international engineering firm bearing his name with headquarters at Tel Aviv, Israel. Accompanying him were Michael N. Fleischmann, the firm’s Far East regional manager and H. E. Gabriel, local representative. Eisenberg discussed with the President the problem of flood control in the Greater Manila area, as well as in other sections of the country. The rest of the day was devoted by the President to his paper work. Among other actions, the President: 1. Authorized the National Power Corporation to increase its service rates by an average of 42 per cent over its present rates. This would enable the National Power Corporation to initiate its power expansion program aimed at meeting ever-increasing energy demands in support of industrialization, contribute to the total electrification of the country, and maintain efficient and reliable services for its customers. 2. Directed Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy- Changco to immediately implement simultaneously the minimum wage law and the five per cent salary adjustment for governmental workers authorized under the 1971 budget. 3. Submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nomination of Secretary, of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, and four other judiciary officials. The others nominated were Victor G. Nituda , as associate commissioner of the Immigration Commission; Roberto G. Cordenillo , as municipal judge of Panay town in Capiz ; and Artemio F. Sanglay , as auxiliary municipal judge of San Fernando, La Union.

[15] Official Gazette for September 25, 1970: P resident Marcos again focused on his desk work, but took time out to receive visitors, including members of the Rizal Society of Japan, and was the central figure in an award ceremony where he received a plaque of appreciation from the country’s science community. Most of the President’s morning activities were centered on his paper work in the course of which he signed an order deporting two undesirable aliens, and sent a couple of nominations to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation. Ordered deported were Lim Liang and Sulay Chua Lay. Lim and Chua were convicted for murder and robbery, respectively. Submitted for confirmation were the nominations of: 1) Assistant Director Guillermo Batto as director of the Bureau of Research, Training and Special Projects of the Department of Social Welfare, vice Eugenio Jamias , resigned; and 2) Mrs. Sylvia P. Montes as acting director of the Bureau of Field Research, also of the Department of Social Welfare, vice Teofilo Asuncion, retired. Both nominees were recommended to their posts by Secretary of Social Welfare Gregorio M. Feliciano. The President also called up Rep. Salipada K. Pendatun , victim of an ambush, but miraculously escaped injury. He assured the Mindanao congressman that his office will press the hunt for the gunmen. He ordered the police agencies concerned to bring the culprits to justice, and asked for a progress report on the investigation. The plaque of appreciation was conferred by former chairman of the National Science Development Board Juan Salcedo, on behalf of the local science community, for the President’s abiding interest and concern in the promotion of science in the Philippines. After the presentation, the President received the delegation composed of members of the Rizal Society of Japan, headed by Col. Nobuhiko Jimbo , the society president. The group thanked the President for the government’s assistance in making possible for the delegation to conduct research on the life and times of the national hero. Col. Jimbo informed the President that he and his party enjoyed their visit to Calamba, Laguna, the hero’s birthplace; Dapitan, where the hero was exiled; Fort Santiago; where he was incarcerated, and the Paco cemetery, where Rizal was interred. As chief of staff of the Japanese Forces in Mindanao, Col. Jimbo was credited with saving the life of former President Roxas . He defied the order from higher headquarters to execute the then Col. Roxas . Others in the research delegation which called on the President in the evening were Mrs. Eiko Mura, Sohta Yamamoto, and Sadaichi Mariya , directors of the society. The group was accompanied by Professor Esteban de Ocampo, president of the Philippine Historical Association; Jorge Revilla and Justo L. Torres, secretary and chancellor, respectively, of the Knights of Rizal. In the afternoon, the President received Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and General Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff. Gen. Yan was given final instructions by the President preparatory to the AFP chief’s departure for Seoul, Korea, where he will represent the Philippines in the celebration of the Korean Armed Forces Day. Later in the evening, the President motored to the Cultural Center of the Philippines where he attended a performance of an Indonesian cultural troupe.

[16] OG September 26, 1970 : I t was a day of delegations for President Marcos as no less than three sizable groups from as many provinces called at Malacañang to consult him on various problems. The first group to see the President was the delegation from Sulu, led by Rep. Indanan Anni and Gov. Murphy Sangkula , and composed of Deputy Govs . Tuan Mohammed Ali Ligaddung , Usman Polahong , Hadji Adjid Talib, Hadji Nasser Muay, Maud din Senihay , Ibrahim Illid , Salombaton Igasan , Maandong Jailani and Hadji Asip Amilasan ; Mayors Dugasan Daud, Pershing Tautali , Andan Indanan , Bening Ho, Asarab Magong , Utoh Sabuddin , Abdurahman Burohan , Abdel Asser Talbi , Ladjapehi Uto-Arani , Yap Tipail , Datu Amiral Kiram , Datu Ayidin Bahjin , Titina Anni, and Agga Abdulhem ; Vice Mayors Asem Ibno and Felix Monteron , Jr., Councilor Ammah Lakbo and Kulayan Abian ; former Gov. Hadji Hasan Tawasil , and former board member Jana Sangkula . The group called in connection with the land dispute that some 100 settlers have with the family who claims prior rights to the property on which the former had built their homes. The President decided to refer the question to the courts, in accordance with the agreement reached by the contending parties. The second delegation came from Nueva Vizcaya led by Rep. Benjamin Perez. The group sought the release of funds to rebuild or replace damaged public works and public buildings. Composing the group were Mayor Dionisio A. Sarandi of Maddela , a municipality of the sub-province of Quirino , and Diffun Mayor Mariano Pimentel, Aglipay Mayor Nolasco Mandac and his vice mayor, Dominador Mabayo ; Mayor William Giron of Dupax and Councilors Agbayani Larosa and Marcelino Periquet of the same town; as well as Mrs. Azucena Sarandi of the school district of Maddela ; Municipal Treasurer Restitute Bueno and Vicente Galapon , Barrio Captains League president; all of Maddela . The third delegation came from Camarines Norte, led by Rep. Fernando Pajarillo , and composed of Provincial Board Member B. V. Eco and Mayors Roy Padilla, Felix Tenorio and Claro Ebasco , and Division Superintendent of Schools A. Portellas . The group discussed with the President local problems. The President later received Sebastian Ugarte of the RMN-IBC network, who presented a ₱5000 donation to the typhoon relief fund for Quezon province, which staffers of the network raised initially to fund a party celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary, but which they later decided to give to the typhoon victims. Accompanying Ugarte were Ronnie Nathanielz and Ed Tipton, representing the network employees.

[17] Official Gazette for September 27, 1970 : P resident Marcos approved the rules and regulations on the exportation of corn which the Rice and Corn Export Committee drafted and was subsequently adopted by the National Food and Agriculture Council (NFAC). A copy of the rules and regulations was submitted to the President in the morning by Agriculture Undersecretary Arturo R. Tanco , Jr., presidential action officer of the NFAC. The NFAC, headed by Vice President Fernando Lopez, also Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has informed the President that the Philippines could export white corn up to a modest, maximum of 90,000 metric tons, worth some $6.3 million. The set of rules was designed to properly regulate such exportation. Under the rules approved by the President, the exporter must be a Filipino citizen, or a partnership, corporation, cooperative, association, producer and/or miller, engaged in the corn trade and duly registered with the Rice and Corn Board. The exporter must be capable as well of meeting export obligations as determined by the availability and/or control of warehousing and milling facilities and the availability and/or control of corn stocks. Piles of official papers kept the President at his desk most of the morning and afternoon, in the course of which he submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 10 municipal judges, two fiscals, a city judge and a bureau director.

[18] Official Gazette for September 28, 1970 : P resident Marcos had occasion to discuss the problems of Sapang Palay , the resettlement site for urban squatters, when PHHC Manager Sebastian Santiago and Msgr. Mariano Gaviola, who represents the church’s involvement in that project, called at Malacañang. The PHHC manager also submitted his report on the immediate problems in Sapang Palay , as well as on the improvements and facilities already instituted. The President was particularly concerned about the lick of water sources in the site, and asked Santiago to request the Comelec to exempt from the 45-day ban imposed during the current campaign for delegate seats in the Constitutional Convention, the public works initiatives needed to provide deep wells in the area. Apart from these two callers, and a later call made by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Ingles, who took up foreign office matters. The President was free to concentrate on his paper work, which included the report made by a special committee created to study the integrated payment plan for the cost-of-living allowance to public schoolteachers all over the country; and the plans to put up a resettlement site in Montalban , Rizal for uprooted families in the metropolitan area, who lost their homes in the recent floods, complete with arrangements for establishing cooperative farming. In between receiving callers, the President directed Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Manuel T. Yan to fly to Cotabato to take a close look at the peace and order situation of the province. The President remained at his desk through the rest of his working day.

[19] Official Gazette for September 29, 1970 : P resident Marcos conferred with representatives of national and local law enforcement agencies operating in the Greater Manila area and received a number of callers which included provincial delegations. In between his paper work, the President also met members of the Indonesian Dance Troupe who called at Malacañang at noon to say goodbye before enplaning to; Jakarta after giving a series of performances at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador Kusno Utomo and Director-General Suwandono of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the dancers performed in Manila following a five-month stint at the Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan. In his meeting with police agency representatives, the President fired off a series of orders designed to coordinate the operations of national and local police forces in the wake of the recent ambush of Rep. Salipada K. Pendatum and the rash of robberies and hold-ups in and around the Manila area. The President observed that lawless elements “are getting bolder and more daring” and exhibit virtual “contempt for the law.” Acting upon the requests and recommendations of the conferees, the President ordered: 1) Activation of foot patrols. 2) Strict surveillance of known gangs and crime syndicates, ex-convicts and persons facing criminal charges, as well as renewed efforts to recapture escaped prisoners. 3) Assignment of local police officers to METROCOM teams, a practice, which had been discontinued, due to lack of METROCOM vehicles. 4) The loan of 25 jeeps, ten of which will be for the Manila police, and five each for the police departments of the cities Quezon, Caloocan and Pasay. 5) The immediate release by the Philippine Constabulary of ₱80,000 for the repair of 40 METROCOM cars sidelined because of engine or other defects. 6) The METROCOM to establish a civilian vehicle pool for police work, the operating expenses for which will be defrayed by the government. 7) Official requests from police chiefs and city mayors to import transportation and communications equipment so that the necessary foreign exchange can be worked out with the Central Bank. 8) The release to the METROCOM of ₱490,000 worth of communications equipment, acquired through reparations, by the defense department. 9) The detail of 300 PC recruits with METROCOM, as a reserve force, and thus raise its complement to 1,800 officers and men. Present at the conference were: Brig. Gen, Mariano Ordoñez , chief of METROCOM; Col. Pelagio Perez of the CIS, PC; acting NBI Director Ponciano Fernando; Assistant POLCOM Commissioner Sergio F. Go; Col. Luis Amor of the Peace and Order Council; Cols. Gerardo Tamayo and James Barbers, MPD chief and deputy chief, respectively; Col. Tomas Karingal , Quezon City chief of police;. Col. Celestino Rosca , Caloocan City chief of police; Lt. Col/ Fernando P. Angara, Makati chief of police; and Maj. Delfin Francisco of the Pasay City police department. Other callers at Malacañang included Secretary of Commerce and Industry Ernesto Maceda , former Secretary Alfredo Montelibano, and delegations from Pampanga headed by Gov. Francisco Nepomuceno and from Pagudpud , Ilocos Norte led by Mayor Constantino Benemerito . The President commended the Reserve Airlift and Tactical Support Service Squadron (RATSS) commanded by Lt. Col. Enrique Zobel, which is also popularly known as the “Weekend Warriors” of the Philippine Air Force, for its effective participation in the transport of relief supplies and the mercy missions it undertook in the wake of the typhoon which devastated northern Quezon province early his month. In his commendation, the President said that the response of the RATSS pilots, many of them flying their own planes, in airlifting food, medicines and volunteer relief workers amply demonstrated the unit’s capabilities and its high state of readiness for any emergency. While at work on state papers, the President submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation 40 nominees to   various posts in the government.  (L ist of nominees in OG .) The President also called the following message of condolence to Vice President Anwar El- sadat of the United Arab Republic on the death of President Gamal Abdel Nasser: “I am saddened to hear of the untimely death of President Gamal Abdel. Nasser. With his passing, the United. Arab Republic lost a most distinguished son; the Arab world a respected leader; and the world an eminent statesman. On behalf of the Filipino people, may I request your Excellency to convey our sincere condolences to the Egyptian people who regarded him as a father, to his colleagues, and to the bereaved members of his family.”

[20] Official Gazette for September 30, 1970 : P resident Marcos received official advice from Pope Paul VI himself of the latter’s arrival in Manila; accepted the donation of an entire village for indigents rendered homeless by the recent flood; and was apprised of the start of oil explorations by an all-Filipino oil firm. These are some of the highlights of a checkered day for the President, which included attendance at the testimonial dinner for Vice President Fernando Lopez, and an interview with foreign newsmen. Early in the morning the President received a delegation of Zamboanga del Sur mayors, with Rep. Vicente Cerilles and Gov. Bienvenido Ebarle of that province accompanying the group. Local problems were taken up. Following the group was Msgr. Carmine Rocco, Papal Nuncio, who delivered a letter from the Pope to the President. The letter formally apprised the President of the arrival, on Nov. 27, of the Pope in Manila. The Nuncio also discussed aspects of the preparations for Pope Paul’s visit. After his meeting, the President shortly received prominent members of the local Chinese community, who made a formal turn-over of the initial check covering the construction of the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Village, which is being donated for the purpose of providing homes for squatters and other indigents whose homes were destroyed by the recent floods. The group was headed by Antonio Roxas Chua, chairman of the board in charge of the project. Next to call was the group representing the Philippine Oil Co., who informed the President that the firm is now completely Filipinized and is ready to start probing for oil deposits in waters just off Palawan. In the group were Jose Ma. Soriano, Earl Taylor, Joven Ibasetas , Mario Nieto and Sebastian Ugarte. Other callers included Land Authority Gov. Conrado Estrella; and Reps. Rodolfo Albano of Isabela, Emerito Calderon of Cebu, Expedito Leviste of Batangas, Gaudencio Beduya of Cebu, Jose Puyat, Jr. of Surigao del Sur, Constantino Navarro of Surigao del Norte, and Sen. Rene Espina . The solons took up problems in their constituencies. In the afternoon, the President sat down with foreign correspondents for an interview, after which he received Rep. William Chiongbian of Misamis Occidental. The President also named Ambassador Yusup Abubakar and Reps. Mohammad Ali Dimaporo and Jose D. Aspiras as official representatives of the Philippines at the funeral of President Gamal Abdel Nasser of the United Arab Republic. President Nasser succumbed Monday to a heart attack. Among other actions, the President submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the names of nine nominees to various government posts ( See  pp. 9187 and 9188 for list of nominees) as well as ordered a speed-up of the dispersal program for prisoners so as to minimize problems from overcrowding at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa, Rizal. In a series of directives to Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos and Director of Prisons Alejo Santos, the President also, ordered the updating and revision of the classification of prisoners, the segregation of maximum risk prisoners from the minimum and medium risk inmates. In the evening, he went to the Manila Hilton for the dinner honoring Vice President Fernando Lopez on his silver jubilee as a public servant, where he participated in the presentation of awards to the honoree.