OFFICIAL WEEK IN REVIEW
May 14—
PRESIDENT MARCOS resumed work at his study after a three-day absence from Malacañang, during which he visited Cagayan Valley where he assessed the progress of on-going projects and conferred with local officials on their problems. After a spell of work at his desk, he received Gen. Shim Heung-Sun, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea, who called to pay his respects. The visiting Korean top brass was accompanied by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Se Ryun Kim.
Later at formal ceremonies, the President conferred the Legion of Honor (rank of commander) on Gen. Shim, for signal services in promoting and enhancing the friendship between the Philippines and his country, and for his contributions to the security of the Asian region. At the ceremonies were top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
After the rites, the President took advantage of the presence of the military leaders of the country to discuss current problems of defense, and to get a briefing on the peace and order situation.
In the afternoon, the President again worked at his desk, and received a few more private visitors. Then he motored to the Hotel Intercontinental where he addressed a gathering of 4-H Club members.
In his speech, the President lauded the 4-H Club for “paving the way for the Green Revolution.”
The President said that so long as there are young men and women like the 4-H Club members, who believe there is need for reform and look forward to reforms, and who believe in bringing about reforms without violence, those reforms can be obtained peacefully.
In the evening, the President conferred the Order of the Golden Heart on Gen. Charles A. Lindbergh “for his persevering concern regarding the kind of impact civilization makes on the quality of all forms of life on earth—human life, and other life as well.”
The award was presented to the world renowned aviator, humanist and conservationist at a formal dinner tendered by the President and the First Lady. Imelda R. Marcos, in Malacañang.
Lindbergh was cited for, among others, his personal commitment in dramatizing the urgent need for concentrated efforts to preserve the tamaraw, the monkey-eating eagle, the green sea turtle and other dwindling species of Philippine wildlife from extinction, as well as for generating international support of Philippine conservation efforts in the form of field laboratory equipment and other facilities.
May 15—
PRESIDENT MARCOS was guest of honor and speaker at the closing ceremonies of the Livestock, Piggery and Poultry Week and National Agricultural Fair held at the Greater Manila Terminal Food Market.
In his speech, the President urged the intensification of animal production, saying that it is one of the greatly deficient areas of production in the country.
The President also congratulated the officials and industrial leaders responsible for the holding of the Fair.
The President said that national problems like unrest, reform, medical indigency, or pollution control can be solved through production.
“If each and every child, man or woman produces something, no matter how modest or small,” the President said, “he will be able to solve all our problems.”
He said production means increased income for the farmers who need not beg for food or clothing, but could afford to send their children to school and live comfortably.
Before motoring to the GMTFM, the President witnessed the signing of the deed covering the donation of $1 million worth of rice by the Japanese government to the Philippine government.
The document was signed by Ambassador Toshio Urabe on behalf of the Japanese Government, and by Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose D. Ingles on behalf of the Philippine Government, at a simple ceremony held in Malacañang.
The President later signed a note conveying to the Japanese government and people the gratitude of the Filipino for the rice donation.
In the afternoon, the President had a reunion with a wartime buddy, Marcelo Paat, who provided him shelter and refuge from the Japanese during the war.
Aged 78 and jobless, but healthy, Paat came to Malacañang upon invitation of the President who wanted to know in what way he could help the old man. Paat hails from Bantay, locos Sur.
Following his reunion with his wartime comrade, the President held a press conference at Malacañang, during which he, among others clarified points on the PC circular regarding the arrest of persons inciting rebellion during demonstrations.
The President said that the PC circular ordering the filing of charges against persons inciting rebellion in connection with anti-government demonstrations and rallies would not in any way affect the right of free speech and assembly.
He said that the administration would continue to tolerate criticism, but the President added seditious acts are punishable under the law and the authorities are going to enforce the law.
Proper legal procedures would be observed, the President concluded.
May 16—
PRESIDENT MARCOS inducted into office Dr. Estefania Aldaba-Lim as secretary of social welfare.
The President appointed Dr. Aldaba-Lim to the social welfare post after Secretary Gregorio M. Feliciano resigned to re-assume his position in the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction.
The new DSW secretary took her oath of office in the presence of the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos; Sen. Helena Z. Benitez, Rep. Jose Alberto and Ali Dimaporo, Dr. Vicente Villamin and other members of her family, which included her mother Estefania J. Vda de Aldaba; mother-in-law Pilar Hidalgo-Lim; brothers Benjamin Homobono and Rodolfo and their ladies; sisters Lualhati, Dalisay and Diwata; children Cristina, Alberto, Luis, Jr., and Ricardo; and son-in-law Yuzon.
The President devoted the rest of his working hours in the morning and afternoon to state papers, in the process ordering a nationwide crackdown on the production of pornography in all its forms.
He issued the order in a directive to the Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of National Defense, the Philippine Constabulary, the National Bureau of Investigation and local executives and their prosecutors.
The President directed them to arrest and prosecute all guilty parties.
May 17—
PRESIDENT MARCOS had another day spent mostly on official papers.
Among others, he issued an executive order creating an Education Project Task Force which would undertake feasibility studies of certain specific projects to be financed through soft loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank).
Proposed by the Department of Education, the task force would evaluate and choose the specific projects from among those recommended by a Presidential Commission previously constituted under an earlier executive order to conduct a survey of education in the Philippines.
May 18—
PRESIDENT MARCOS continued concentrating on paper work and other urgent matters of state, even as he kept his schedule clear of callers.
The President limited his conferences to government officials, who discussed with him developmental concerns of their respective departments.
While engaged in desk work, the President certified to Congress House Bill No. 1919, otherwise known as the Electoral Reform Bill.
The President, in messages to the Senate and the House of Representatives, certified to the urgency of enacting the bill subject to proper amendments.
The bill has been reported out by the House Special Committee on Electoral Reforms, with some amendments.
The bill, among others:
1. Organizes and defines the powers and functions of the Commission on Elections.
2. Defines the election period.
3. Creates the Office of Election Prosecutors.
4. Moves national elections from the second Tuesday to the second Monday of November.
5. Requires the registration of political parties and defines their rights and obligations.
6. Prohibits contributions from foreign sources for election campaigns.
7. Prohibits candidates and leaders from receiving contributions, specifying that only the political party as an organization is authorized to do so.
8. Limits expenditures and advertisements for election campaigns.
9. Cites violations of the provisions of the law and sets down the corresponding punishment.
May 19—
PRESIDENT MARCOS maintained the pace of his desk work, trimming down the piles of official papers in his private study.
The President started acting on official papers at about 9:10 a.m., breaking off some three hours later for lunch and a brief rest. He was back in his study later in the afternoon, remaining at his desk through early evening.
May 20—
PRESIDENT MARCOS issued a proclamation calling Congress to a special session beginning June 14.
Earlier in the day, the President certified to Congress House Bill No. 3609, transferring the site for the inaugural meeting of the Constitutional Convention from the Congress building to the Manila Hotel.
The President certified the bill upon the request of the Inaugural Committee of the Constitutional Convention, members of which called on him to invite him to attend the inaugural ceremonies.
The members of the Inaugural Committee informed the President that during their pre-convention meeting on April 21, Manila Hotel was made the overwhelming choice for the site of the inauguration.
They said that with 320 members, the Hall of the House of Representatives would be too small for all the delegates. The Manila Hotel, they said, is spacious enough to contain even more guests than already invited.
Those who called on the President were Delegates Cicero Calderon, inaugural committee chairman; Felino Neri, Rev. Pacifico Ortiz, Eriberto Misa, Antonio Raquiza and Heherson Alvarez.
The President called Congress to a special session upon recommendation of the leaders of Congress in order to take up several vital measures pending before both Chambers of the legislative body.
He summoned Congress to a special session for a period not exceeding 30 days starting June 14, in response to the request of Congress leaders to give them at least two weeks after adjournment of the regular session, within which to iron out their differences on some of the bills.
In his proclamation, the President listed down four bills for inclusion in the agenda of the special session, namely:
| House Bill No. 3343— | AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE PERIOD FROM JULY FIRST, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE TO JUNE THIRTIETH, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-TWO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES: |
| SENATE BILL No. 184— | AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS. AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SEC TIONS OF THE REVISED ELECTION CODE AND INSERTING NEW SECTIONS THEREIN. AND AMENDING FURTHER REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT, AS AMENDED; |
| HOUSE BILL No. 1919— | NEW ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES; |
| SENATE BILL No. 478- | AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED |
| HOUSE BILL No. 3453 | THIRTY-EIGHT HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE AGRICULTURAL LAND REFORM CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. |
Earlier in the morning, the President received the credentials of the Italian envoy. Ambassador Luigi Martelli, at ceremonies in Malacañang.
Immediately after the rites, the President sat down with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos P. Romulo who reported on the SEATO ministers meeting in London, and the meeting he called in Madrid of Philippine envoys in Europe.
Shortly afterward, the President again sat down for a conference with USAID Assistant Director Roderick O’Connor. They discussed future uses of USAID assistance, in such areas of development as electrification and such problem areas as population control. Also present at the conference were Secretary Romulo, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. and NEC Chairman Gerardo Sicat.
In the afternoon, the President had time to work extensively at his desk, during which he issued a proclamation calling Congress to a special session.
The President knocked oil’ only for a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State Marshal Green. With the US official was Frank Shakespeare, USIS director. They were accompanied by US Ambassador Henry Byroade.
In the evening, the President and the First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, were hosts at a dinner honoring the visiting US envoys in Asia, who had gathered in Manila for a conference.
Source: National Library of the Philippines
