MALACANAN PALACE
Manila
12:00 PM
March 19. 1970
Thursdav
The operations in Bulacan bagged ten Huks in Bulacan. One of them knows the tunnels in Hacienda Luisita and he is going to point them out in a search which will immediately follow. This will involve Ninoy Aquino.
The export tax bill is on second reading in the House. Reps. Castillo, Sarmiento, Chiongbian and Sabido came to see me. Apparently Sarmiento is lobbying so as to put plywood in a separate category as processed exports and thus since he is the biggest producer of plywood he will earn more profits. I insisted on the bill as it is – an across the board ten percent tax without exceptions. The distribution of the proceeds will be 40% infrastructure, 30% Development Fund and 30% to the General Fund.
Celebrated the 73rd Anniversary of the Philippine Army in Camp Bonifacio; explained the economic and social program of government and revealed my plans to increase pay and allowances as well as the establishment of an officers and enlisted men’s barrio and a commissary for the AFP.
The taxi drivers, notwithstanding yesterday’s agreement with Com. Medina of PSC and Philip Monserrat, went on strike and overturned jeepneys and destroyed buses because of the refusal of their drivers to join the strike. But the police and Metrocom quelled the disorder.
I will finish with the Holy Week then attend to the needs of the situation that may require more stern measures. The price of gasoline and fuels goes up 4.4 centavos tomorrow.