Malacañang
Manila
January 1, 1969 1970
I start a daily written record of my second term in office as President. This will be kept in loose-leaf so that all kinds of materials may be attached to the binder. Thus the background should be a treatise on the elections of 1969. This will be composed of my critique as well as the commentaries on the technique of victory.
New Year – Left Ising’s Party for VP Agnew and the Foreign Ministers at 11:00 PM so that we could welcome New Year with the children. They were trying out the Bocaue sparklers at the garden and fountain in front of the main gate. Hope we did not break Ising’s party as VP and Mrs. Agnew followed us home and he tried a few sparklers himself before he went to bed.
Mass at 12:40 – Sleep at 1:30 AM. Woke up at 7:00; back to bed to wake up and talk to VP and Mrs. Agnew up to 9:00 AM.
Yesterday I finally transferred all of my worldly possessions to the Filipino people through the Ferdinand E. Marcos Foundation. I have been planning this for many years but I felt that the beginning of my second term was the most propitious time. This was a decision arrived at after a long deliberation and was not the result of pique, anger, despair or emotion – Nor is it due to a sense of guilt because some the funds come from the Yamashita treasure – Nor is it just a political stunt. I have no further political plans.
And it seems a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.
The surprising thing is that the reaction of the people seem to be of no consequence to me. It was a noble act waiting to be done. I feel I am above all the pettiness of men and I look down on them with some contempt but with a counterbalance of understanding.
(ATTACHMENT)
STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS ON DISPOSITION OF HIS WORLDY GOODS THROUGH THE MARCOS FOUNDATION
DECEMBER 31, 1969
DECEMBER 31, 1969
DRAFT
I have today given away by general instrument of transfer all my worldly possessions to the Filipino people through a foundation to be organized known as the Marcos Foundation.
Moved by the strongest desire and the purest will to set the example of self-denial and self-sacrifice for all our people, I have today decided to give away all my worldly possessions so that they may serve the greater needs of the greater number of our people.
It is my wish that these properties will be used in advancing education, science, technology and the arts.
This act I undertake of my own free will, knowing that my need of material possessions will, having always been a simple man, my needs will always be lesser that those of many of our people, who have given me the highest honor within their gift, an honor unshared by any one of my predecessors and not likely to be shared by any one else in the future no other Filipino leader.
Since about a year ago, I have asked my closest some of very my closest confidants to study the mechanics of this decision. Today studies have been completed, and a foundation will be formed to administer these properties and all funds that may be generated therefrom.
My wife, Imelda, is in agreement with this decision. Provisions will be made for my children, so that they shall be assured of satisfactory education and be prepared to meet their lifetime duties and endeavors.
For the moment, my most sincere hope is that this humble act shall set the example and move to greater deeds of unselfishness and compassion, many of our countrymen whose position in society gives them a stronger duty to minister to the needs of our less fortunate brothers and countrymen.
PFM