Malacañang
Manila
Veterans Memorial Hospital
Saturday
January 17, 1970
Manila Times and even the Bulletin are trying to promote a fight between me and the Media. Manila Times headlined the Nolan resignation, actually editorializing in that story.
Then, yesterday, the Bulletin carried the front page story of me keeping on with attacks on the press quoting my statement or speech read by VP Lopez in the Bureau of Plant Industry inauguration that “notwithstanding the critics, we have moved forward”. This was interpreted, I suppose, to mean that the press are critics or the only critics and should not be referred to with the slightest hint of derision.
My relations with the press in general, with the exception of the Malacañang boys has soured since the inaugural speech.
They can dish it out but cannot take it.
My erstwhile opponent, Sen. Sergio Osmeña, has gone to see Pres. Soeharto of Indonesia, and as reported by Ambassador Farolan, is determined to get the dormant concession of Brigido Valencia at Sumatra or East Kalimantan belonging to Americans. Accompanied by a representative of Nissio-Nurai, apparently the financier, this party surveyed the Sumatra concession of Valencia and apparently a favorable report submitted.
Osmeña bragging here, in Japan and the Philippines that he can buy any Indonesian official. Apparently the funds to be used by the Adevoso group on their assassination and take-over plans will come from Osmeña. Osmeña is also in touch with the groups that are preparing a revolution in Sabah and has been instrumental in the offer by Malaysia or Sabahan authorities in offering to Princess Tarhata and Sultan Ismail Kiram to buy out their claim to Sabah. They may sell only their private rights. But I have ordered Sec. Romulo to write a formal letter to Sultan Ismail Kiram that he has authorized the Philippine government to bargain for him and that he must not embarrass our government; and for Amb. Busuego to informally notify the Malaysian authorities that Sultan Kiram cannot bind the Philippine government.
Deputy Premier Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia has announced a record U.S.$ 267.7 million budget for defense and internal security or 25% of the total expenditure of U.S.$ 1,080,130,000 for FY 1970. Defense budget for FY 1969 is U.S.$ 132M or 9.2% of the total 1969 budget. Razak justified the increase with the British military withdrawal and the stepped-up communist terrorist activities.
In Pakistan 56 million registered to vote out of 125 million in Pakistan’s first general elections scheduled 4 Oct 1970.