December 14.—PRESIDENT Garcia congratulated the air forces of five nations which participated in an air show held in connection with the opening of aviation week today saying that their splendid showing was a demonstration “not only of their air potential but also of their genuine interest in cooperative international unity.”
In brief remarks delivered this morning at the domestic airport where he formally opened the observance of Aviation Week under the auspices of the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the President said that the air show was more than a display of what the modern flying machines of the participating nations could do, as it was also a demonstration of the willingness of those nations to cooperate with one another.
“This annual celebration brings to the attention of the public the important role which civil aviation is playing in our national progress and security,” the President said. “It is therefore fitting that we give a measure of recognition to civil aviation as one of the most important vehicles of human progress,” he added.
President and Mrs. Garcia was at the airport for more than three hours this morning and watched with admiration the aeronautical skill displayed by Filipino, American, British, Australian, and New Zealander pilots as they put their fast, jet-powered planes into difficult and highly complicated aerial maneuvers.
Mrs. Leonila D. Garcia cut the ribbons which released two hundred baloons into the air, signalling the start of the air show. The First Lady was assisted by Mesdames Urbano Caldoza, wife of the CAA administrator, and Mrs. Victoria L. Araneta of the Feati Institute of Technology.
The air show consisted of precision mass formation flying, sonic boom demonstrations, supersonic passes over the airfield, aerial refueling, afterburner climbs, and dive-bombing demonstration.
Participating in the impressive display were F-100 Super Sabrejets, B-66 Destroyers, KB-50 Tankers, Canberra jet-bombers, F-86 Sabre all-weather jet fighters, Avro Vulcan delta-wing jet-bombers, B-57 Light Bombers, AD5N Skyraiders, A3D Skywarriors. F2H-3 Banshees, F-3H Demons, and FJ-4B Furies.
The crowd was particularly impressed by two peculiar-looking Avro Vulcan delta-wing jet bombers from the British Royal Air Force which started their manuevers by flying low over the trees and which seemed to touch the roofs of the plane hangars in the airport.
The President and the First Lady arrived at the domestic airport about 8:20 a.m. for the ceremonies. The speech of the Chief Executive opening the observance of Aviation Week lasted only five minutes. He was introduced by CAA Administrator Urbano Caldoza.
The President also spent some time going around the field, inspecting various types of military aircrafts parked in the area.
ABOUT 11:30 a.m., the President and the First Lady left the airport and motored to Sta. Ana where they were guests of honor at the cornerstone-laying ceremonies of the ₱150,000 edifice which will house recreation halls for workers of the Marcelo Enterprises, which observed its 20th anniversary today.
IN THE EVENING, the President and the First Lady was at the Manila Hotel where they were again guests at an affair held under the auspices of the Woman Pharmaceutical Association of the Philippines and in which the First Lady was conferred an award.
December 15.—THIS MORNING President Garcia called upon the delegates to the five-day conference of Asian universities on cultural cooperation to “bring about a renaissance of learning in Asia and hasten the return of cultural preeminence to the Orient.”
Speaking at the conference’s opening session in the conference hall of the UP library building in Diliman, Quezon City, the Chief Executive reminded Asia’s leading educators that the training of leaders who can safely steer the Ship of State and who can be called upon for counsel and guidance in times of stress is one of the important functions of an institution of higher learning.
The President noted that most of the countries in Asia are still in the period of rapid growth and that it is essential that the reservoir of leadership be replenished at all times.
President Garcia said the heavy demands on the modern leader’s wisdom and resourcefulness require a well-balanced education involving all powers of the individual; namely, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and spiritual. For this reason, he added, the training for leadership must make provision for culture.
The President said he favored a cultural exchange among Asian countries, as it will go a long way towards promoting mutual understanding, closer relations, and lasting friendship among them.
He stated that the conquest and colonization of most Asian countries in the past has resulted in the development of their respective cultures along different lines. This diversity, he said, will make the exchange of culture among Asian nations highly beneficial and fruitful because every country has something to give to the other.
Quoting H. G. Wells who characterized human history as a race between education and catastrophe, President Garcia concluded his address by charging the educators with the “responsibility of strengthening the cause of peace by spreading culture as a unifying force in building the defense of peace in the minds of men.”
On the President’s arrival at the university campus, a 21-gun salute was fired while a guard of honor composed of select UP ROTC cadets stood stiffly at attention in front of the UP administration building.
After acknowledging the honors, President Garcia and UP President Vicente G. Sinco proceeded towards the library building with the honor guard leading the way.
They were met at the entrance to the building by officials of the Department of Education headed by acting Education Secretary Daniel M. Salcedo, Undersecretary Benigno Aldana, and Director Jesus E. Perpiñan of the Bureau of Private Schools.
Also on hand were delegates to the conference, UP faculty members, and members of the diplomatic corps, among them, U. S. Ambassador Charles E. Bohlen, Chinese Ambassador Chen Chi-mai, and Japanese Ambassador Morio Yukawa.
Diplomats who were not able to attend the opening session of the conference were represented by their cultural attaches.
From Diliman, President Garcia motored to Malacañang where he went over pending state papers until lunchtime.
EARLIER this morning, the President held a breakfast conference with members of the Ormoc Sugar Planters’ Association and the management of the Ormoc Sugar Central. They were accompanied by Rep. Dominador M. Tan of Leyte.
Present at the conference were Agapito Pungos, Dr. Hermenegildo Serafica, Iñaki Larizabal, Enrique Garcia, Melchor Larizabal, Benjamin Pungos, William A. Paradise, Jorge Tan, Jr., Dionisio Torrevillas, Jesus Lladoc, secretary of the association, Tirso Revilla, manager of the Ormoc Sugar Central, and Gabriel Villanueva, legal counsel of the association.
Among the subjects discussed during the conference was their request for an increase in their sugar quota allocation in view of their increased production and their capacity to fill the quota assigned to them in the past.
THE President this afternoon launched this year’s Philippine cancer fund drive by presenting a ₱1,000 check to Gerald Wilkinson, who represented Earl Carroll, chairman of the campaign sponsored by the Philippine Cancer Society.
PRESIDENT and Mrs. Garcia this evening motored to see the world flyweight title fight between champion Pascual Perez of Argentina and Dommy Ursua, Filipino challenger.
Malacañang said the President decided to attend the title fight to give his moral support to the Filipino challenger.
It was the first time the President went to the Rizal stadium to attend a sports event.
President Garcia mobilized today relief agencies of the government to extend immediate assistance to the passengers of the ill-fated M.V. Hiawatha, which sank off the coast of Surigao yesterday.
On instructions from the President, Executive Secretary Juan C. Pajo ordered the Navy near the scene of the disaster to rush to the area and help in the rescue operations of some 200 passengers.
The Social Welfare Administration and the Department of Health, which were likewise alerted, lost no time in dispatching relief workers and relief and medical supplies to the area.
Malacañang instructed the Navy to report on further progress of the rescue and relief operations.
December 16.—AT THE COUNCIL OF STATE meeting this noon, President Garcia reported on details of the loans obtained as a result of his state visit to the United States last June.
The President based his report on a summary prepared by Budget Commissioner Dominador Aytona, PNB President Eduardo Romualdez, and Gov. Miguel Cuaderno of the Central Bank. The trio had been left behind in the United States to work out the details of the loans.
President Garcia and the Council of State approved today the proposal to start talks on the working out of a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the Philippines and Japan.
The talks will be conducted on a bi-partisan basis on the part of the Philippine Government.
The approval of the talks came after President Garcia had rendered a report on his state visit to Japan at the meeting this noon of the Council of State.
In the course of his report, the President called attention to that part of the joint communique issued by the President and Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi that “as it seems desirable that both countries should endeavor to ultimately place their relations on a more stable basis, they agreed to consider, at the appropriate time, the possibility of working out a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, and pending such treaty, they would endeavor to encourage greater trade and commerce between them by such measures as they may consider mutually beneficial to both countries.”
The Council also:
(1) Passed a resolution congratulating the President for his “signal success” on his visit to Japan;
(2) Endorsed the loan from Japan to finance the Marikina River multipurpose project and the telecommunications expansion and improvement project within the framework of the Reparations Agreement;
(3) Heard the final report of PNB President Eduardo Romualdez, Budget Commissioner Dominador Aytona, and Governor Miguel Cuaderno of the Central Bank, who had been left behind in the United States to work out details of the loans obtained by the President daring his U.S. state visit; and
(4) Heard Senate President Rordiguez report on his impressions during his recent trip abroad. While discussing his recent trip to Japan, the President emphasized that no commitment of any kind had been made in his dealings with Japanese officialdom and businessmen. He said he had expressed the desire of the Filipino people to resume their pre-war relations with Japan and that the Japanese people had responded enthusiastically.
The President explained that although his state visit was one of goodwill, some other matters had been taken up incidentally by the Japanese officials such as the financing of the Marikina River multi-purpose and the telecommunications projects. He said that Public Works Secretary Florencio Moreno had been left behind in Tokyo to work out details of the negotiations and will report to the Council immediately after his return.
The President thanked members of the Council for passing the resolution congratulating him for the success of his trip. He expressed the hope that his “fruitful trip” would find expression in ever improving cultural, economic, and political relations between the Philippines and Japan.
The Chief Executive said that Japanese officials had welcomed his proposals for cultural exchanges between the two countries. He expressed the belief that the promotion of cultural relations would pave the way for better understanding and easier trade dealings between the Filipinos and the Japanese to the mutual benefit of both peoples.
The President convoked the council of state meeting shortly before 1 p.m., and it lasted up to 3:20 p.m. During the meeting, the President had Foreign Affairs Secretary Felixberto M. Serrano read the communique issued jointly by the President and Prime Minister Kishi in Japan.
Sen. Recto proposed that the declaration in the joint communique that the Philippine economy and the Japanese economy are complementary in character, should not be understood as making reference to the well known fact that Japan is a highly industrialized country, essentially a manufacturer of finished products, part of which is exported to the Philippines, importing at the same time from the latter a large quantity of raw material for her industries, while the Philippines is at present mainly an agricultural country, producing raw materials, agricultural products, and mineral which are exported in important quantities to Japan.
Not a single instance in history can be found, Sen. Recto added, where a trade arrangement between two nations, one industrial and supplier of processed goods, and the other, agricultural and supplier of raw materials, has benefited the latter, and inasmuch as the Philippines is determined to prosecute her industrialization program as fast as her means will permit, it is to be expected that her raw materials are primarily intended for her own industries. The words “complementary economy” appearing on the communique, should therefore be understood, Sen. Recto concluded, as meaning only that there are Japanese products that are, and can be sold, to the Philippines, and Philippine commodities, like sugar and coconut oil, that can be sold to Japan.
The President explained that such was the meaning intended in the communique, and the Council of State voted unanimously to approve and make of record Sen. Recto’s proposal.
EARLIER this morning, President Garcia conferred with Executive Secretary Juan C. Pa jo and Judge Salvador Esguerra, Malacañang legal adviser, on the interpretation of certain provisions of the Reparations Agreement.
Later, President Garcia held a closed-door conference with Finance Secretary Jaime Hernandez and CB Governor Cuaderno after which he proceeded to the State dining room for the Council of State meeting.
IN the afternoon, the President received John J. Nelley, vice-president of the Chase Manhattan Bank, New York.
The banker was accompanied by Eduardo Z. Romualdez, president of the Philippine National Bank. The President also received Ambassador Charles E. Bohlen, Manolo Elizalde, and Justice Buenaventura Ocampo, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Administration Performance Efficiency.
December 17.—PRESIDENT Garcia received a continuous stream of congressional callers in Malacañang from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today.
Sen. Domocao Alonto conferred with the President on political and economic matters and discussed with the Chief Executive the feasibility of entering into treaties of friendship and cultural cooperation with Asian and African countries.
Sen. Eulogio Balao and Rep. Felipe Garduque of Cagayan accompanied Mayor Lucilo Pascual of Lallo, Cagayan, who took his oath of affiliation as a Nacionalista before President Garcia in the study room of Malacañang.
Among those who witnessed the oath-taking were Mayors Jose Villegas of Alcala, president of the Nacionalista Party in Cagayan, and Venancio Morales of Amolong and Manager Peregrino R. Quinto, manager of the Philippine Tobacco Administration.
On representations by Rep. Ismael Veloso of Leyte, President Garcia directed Manager Eugenio Santos of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to facilitate the release of ₱50,000 for the Leyte Provincial Hospital.
Rep. Apolinario Apacible of Batangas requested the President the allocation of several units of prefabricated school buildings for several towns in his district to replace those either damaged or destroyed by typhoons that had hit the province during the last few years.
Rep. Apacible was accompanied by Mayors Pedro Macalalag of Tuy and Luis Ramos of Balayan.
Rep. Delfin Albano of Isabela asked the President to issue a proclamation for the recovery of a lot previously reserved for the Armed Forces and granting it to the municipality of Ilagan as the site of their new municipal building.
Other congressional callers of the President this morning were Sen. Reseller Lim and Reps. Ricardo Ladrido of Iloilo, Faustino Tobia of Ilocos Sur, Leonardo Perez of Nueva Vizcaya, Alberto Q. Ubay of Zamboanga del Norte, Luciano Millan of Pangasinan, and Luis Hora of Mountain Province.
THE PRESIDENT acted today to beat the seasonal mail jam by releasing ₱200,000 to continue the service of wage employees of the Bureau of Posts in Manila and the provinces.
Executive Secretary Juan C. Pajo, who released the amount by authority of the President, said this move will not only relieve the Christmas mail jam but also the anxiety of the wage-earners who face the bleak prospect of being laid off this Christmas.
The amount of ₱200,000 was released by the President on recommendation of Deputy Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco, owing to the heavy volume of air mails arriving at the Bureau of Posts, which the regular employees are unable to tackle.
The amount released will be chargeable against the excess income of ₱590,355.60 over corresponding appropriation for the air mail services as of October 31, 1958.
AT THE CABINET meeting this afternoon, President Garcia reaffirmed the national policy enunciated by his administration of non-intercourse with communist countries, as he upheld the action taken by the Philippine Consulate General in Hongkong in refusing to issue a crew-list visa to the crew members of a Yugoslav vessel.
The matter was brought to the Cabinet meeting this afternoon when the Botelho Shipping Corporation, local agent of the Yugoslav ship, requested a reconsideration of the action taken by the Philippine Consulate General in Hongkong.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Felixberto Serrano alleged that as a matter of sound political arid economic policy of the Philippine Government, his department holds the view that the government should not allow foreign vessels under the registry of communist countries to engage in any form of commercial transaction in the Philippines.
Serrano further alleged that the Yugoslav ship should not be allowed to be the carrier of Philippine products, as it will puncture the national policy of non-trade with communist countries. He further alleged that once punctured it will be taken advantage of by other communist countries.
In recommending that the request of the Botelho Shipping Corporation be denied, Commerce Secretary Pedro Hernaez also observed that shipping companies like the Botelho should know the Philippine policy of non-trade with communist countries.
Defense Secretary Jesus Vargas, for his part, also recommended that the request be denied, alleging that for reasons of national security communist-registered vessels should not be allowed to call at Philippine ports.
The Yugoslav ship entered into contracts with two Filipino concerns for shipping 500 tons of copra to Europe and logs to Venice, Italy, but when the ship’s agent applied for a crew-list visa for the crew members, the Philippine consulate general in Hongkong refused to act favorably on the application, saying that the Philippines has no diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia by reasons of the latter’s non-recognition of the Independence of the Philippine Republic.
The ship was scheduled to leave Hongkong on December 13, 1958, and call at Cebu to load the copra and proceed to Surigao to load the logs, but the Bureau of Immigration was poised to fine the vessel in case it proceeded to the Philippines with a crew-list visa for its crew members.
The Cabinet restored the ₱22.8 million cut slashed by a three-man committee from the budget of the Department of Education to insure continuous classes in the public schools until March.
After restoring the slashed item, President Garcia authorized the release of ₱9 million from the reserves of the Department of Education to cover payment of the salaries of teachers up to the end of the school year.
The Cabinet reviewed the report of the three-man committee, headed by Finance Secretary Jaime Hernandez, which slashed the budgets of the different government offices in an effort to avert a ₱74 million deficit this year.
Significantly, the Hernandez committee turned about in its report and recommended the restoration of the ₱22.8 million cut it had proposed from the Department of Education.
The Cabinet review of the committee recommendations, will be resumed at a special meeting which the President will call before the end of the current year.
The President and the Cabinet, at their discussions this afternoon, agreed to restore the huge cut from the education budget.
The Cabinet also agreed to slash only ₱7 million from the budget of the Dapartment of National Defense. The Hernandez committee had previously sought to prune ₱30 million from the budget of the defense department.
Defense Secretary Jesus Vargas objected to the slash of ₱7 million and appealed to the Cabinet to reduce the amount to ₱5 million.
Vargas claimed he would be forced to demobilize some 24,000 officers and men in the event the budget is cut by ₱7 million.
The Hernandez committee submitted today its report, recommending only a total slash of ₱16,081,560 from the budgetary appropriations of the different government offices.
Although the committee had previously outlined a total slash of ₱73.4 million from the different appropriations of government offices, the body re-considered its decision and reduced the amount it proposed to slash from the budget.
Malacañang said the Hernandez committee recommended adoption of other measures to cover up the expected deficit of ₱58 million. The committee proposed that funds be taken from special levies to cover up the expected gap between the appropriation and income figures.
PRESIDENT Garcia this evening called upon the press in the Philippines to maintain its freedom and fight the forces which threaten to enslave the newspapermen.
He was the principal speaker at the third annual award of the Manila Suburban Press Club held at the National Press Club’s deck.
President Garcia said “we have in this country one of the freest and strongest press in the world today.”
Turning to the provincial press, the President said the former has a grave responsibility, as the newspapermen should have the “highest integrity” in the exercise of their profession.
“By integrity,” the President pointed out, “we mean the strict adherence to what is factual and true and the maintenance of a free and strong press. A news item slanted to serve the interest of one man, or an editorial designed to enhance the ambitions of an interested individual—compensated by political favors or promises of political opportunities are manifestations of servitude. Servitude is not freedom; it is a sign of weakness,” he said.
President Garcia also paid tribute to the provincial press which, he said, is serving the greatest area in the country.
He called the provincial press as the backbone of public opinion. “Its collective strength,” he said, “places it in a unique position as educator, informant, and guardian to millions of our people.”
The President also pointed out that an “accurate report can serve not only your interest as reliable pressmen but what is more important the welfare of our people. An inaccuracy,” he said, “can have disastrous effects to the country.”
He urged the newspapermen to be fair and stressed that any “good journalist, true to his profession, knows that to report only one side of a story is not only being unfair to the individual concerned but he is guilty also of one-sided, biased, and prejudiced reporting.”
President Garcia handed the certificate of award to 34 awardees.
December 18.— PRESIDENT Garcia conferred with Foreign Affairs Secretary Felixberto Serrano this noon on the proposed start of talks preparatory to negotiations toward a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the Philippines and Japan.
The proposed talks had been approved at the Council of State meeting at Malacañang last Tuesday. It will be conducted in a bi-partisan basis.
Earlier this morning, the President received governors and mayors most of whom presented requests for financial aid for their respective provinces and municipalities.
Gov. Juan Triviño of Camarines Sur asked the Chief Executive to expedite the release of financial assistance for 10 towns in his province which were badly damaged by typhoon Nancy three months ago.
Gov. Leon Guinto, Sr., accompanied three mayors of Quezon province who likewise requested financial aid for the repair of damages wrought on their towns by typhoons. The mayors were Leon Ruidora of Gen. Nakar, Tomas R. Angara of Dingalan, and Edgardo Cabangon of Calawag.
Also with Gov. Guinto was ex-Rep. Tomas Morato of Quezon, who paid a courtesy call on the President.
Tarlac Gov. Arsenio Lugay requested President Garcia to direct the Land Tenure Administration to expedite payment of ₱324,000 for a 25 hectares of land belonging to the Hacienda Bautista-Sioco located in the poblacion of San. Manuel, Tarlac, for subdivision and distribution to tenants.
He also requested the release of ₱7,500 for the completion of the municipal building of San. Manuel and₱10,000 for the town hall of San Clemente, Tarlac Gov. Lugay was accompanied by Mayor Amado Robles of San Clemente.
Pangasinan Gov. Conrado Estrella briefed the President on the political situation in his province and the problems confronting the locality, particularly the acute lack of school buildings to replace those destroyed by typhoons.
Gov. Vicente de Lara of Misamis Oriental requested the appropriation of ₱20,000 from the President’s contingent funds to finance the repair of school buildings in his province damaged by typhoons.
Gov. Jose Dinglasan of Capiz sought the Chief Executive’s intervention in securing the release of ₱100,000 for the completion of the airport in Roxas City.
Mayors Getulio Calope of Balilihan and Salustiano Baura of Tubigon, Bohol, also requested assistance from the President for the repair of certain public works installations in their respective municipalities which were damaged by typhoon Nancy.
Mayor Lorenzo Belarmino of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, sought the aid of President Garcia in the completion of a ₱124,000 irrigation project in his municipaly, work on which had already been started.
The President received callers until 2 p.m. After the last caller, President Garcia proceeded to his bedroom, where he conferred with Secretary Serrano over a late lunch on the text of a joint Philippine-Japan communique on the agreement for the Marikina multi-purpose dam and a nation-wide telecommunications system.
THIS evening the President stressed the need for forging closer relations with free Asian countries for the economic, political, and military survival of the Philippines from communist enslavement.
Addressing the annual “President’s Night” dinner of the Manila Overseas Press Club, the President justified the new emphasis in the country’s foreign policy toward Asia.
He denied, however, that there has been any fundamental change in the country’s foreign relations with other countries.
“Racially and geographically,” the President said, “we are an. Asian people. If for no other reason we should be making this effort to reach out for closer cooperation, for better understanding, for the cultural exchange which is the very essence of man’s constantly broadening spiritual and intellectual horizons.”
He said that his recent visit to Japan was the “forward step” towards the new emphasis in the country’s foreign policy towards Asia.
“There is a growing awareness in Asia that the relentless drive of Communism for world domination,” he said, “is something that cannot be ignored by any free Asian.”
The President, however, said that it is difficult to say at time exactly what form of collective Asian defense against communist economic and political aggression should take.
“Among the members of the free Asian community,” he said, “there must develop a broad and symphathetic understanding of each other’s thinking problems and national objectives. Only with such understanding can we explore the common ground upon which a common economic, political, and a spiritual defense may be based and collective action undertaken. To achieve this understanding for ourselves and to encourage our neighbors to seek it is what motivates the current emphasis of our foreign policy,” he added.
dency to put greater emphasis on the country’s relations with Asian countries tries, “we are fulfilling our own concept of the role of each member of the free world community in its defense . . . Our sovereign dignity,” President Garcia said, “demands that we make every contribution within our competence to the arsenal of freedom.”
The President denied that there has been any change in the foreign policy of the country, although, he pointed out, there is at present a tendency to put greater emphasis on the country’s relations with Asian countries.
He warned that the very bedrock of the Asian way of life—the family— has been shattered by the communist doctrines. He said that in the place of the family “has been imposed a fantastic militarized social system in which men and women, husbands and wives, live in separate barracks and eat in segregate mess halls, while their children are raised in state institution. No feudal despot, no imperialist conqueror, has ever dared attempt as complete an enslavement of a people,” he warned.
President Garcia likewise recalled that the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was conceived as the answer of Asian countries to “the challenge of naked military Red aggression against peoples and states.”
He stressed that the communist military aggressions have been held at bay by the organization of the SEATO. However, he said that the communists have shifted their campaign to a policy of attraction cloaking the “tactic of deceit” described by Lenin as an orthodox element of Red policy.
December 19.—PRESIDENT Garcia instructed the members of the Philippine delegation to the world’s basketball championship games in Chile to do their best and “bring home the bacon.”
The PI cagers, accompanied by officials of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation, called on the President in Malacañang this morning to pay their respects, say farewell, and receive instructions.
The President told them, “My instructions are for you to bring home the bacon. I wish you a fruitful trip and victory in your forthcoming games. Our people will be proud if our flag will be upheld in the field of sports. Congratulations for your victory in the last Asian Games. God bless you all.”
The members of the team who called on the President were Coach Virgilio Dalupan, Carlos Loyzaga, Loreto Carbonell, Emilio Achacoso, Geronimo Cruz, Constancio Ortiz, Ramon Manulat, Carlos Badion, Guillermo Baz, Edgardo Ocampo, Eduardo Lim, Kurt Bachmann, Mariano Tolentino, Roberto Yburan, and Alfonso Marquez.
Officials of the PAAF who accompanied the athletes were Antonio de las Alas, PAAF president, Sen. Ambrosio Padilla, Chito Calvo, Augusto Bautista, and Serafin Aquino, PAAF secretary-treasurer.
President Garcia presented the Philippine flag to Manuel B. Nolasco, assistant national boy scout commissioner and leader of the Philippine delegation to the 1959 Boy Scouts’ Pan-Pacific Jamboree in Auckland, New Zealand.
Other members of the PI delegation to the jamboree are Ben Hur Lasam, scribe of Troop 21, Agusan Council, and Antonio Gonzales, junior assistant scoutmaster, Troop 310, Tarlac Council.
In presenting the flag to Nolasco, the President charged them with the duty of doing honor to it and wished them good luck in their mission.
Nolasco will go first to South Australia to undergo Wood Badge training, while the two scouts will remain in Melbourne where they will be the guests of the Australian boy scouts.
From Melborne, the delegation will proceed to Auckland, New Zealand, to attend the 1959 Boy Scouts’ Pan-Pacific Jamboree.
They are leaving tomorrow night and expect to be away 28 days.
Members of the Japanese Collegiate All-Stars basketball team that have been playing a series of benefit games here for the 10th Boy Scouts’ World Jamboree fund campaign were among the President’s callers this morning.
The members of the team are Setsuo Nara, Hideo Kanekawa, Reijiro Kawamoto, Fusao Yokoyama, Kumiyasu Oshima, Seiji Yamamoto, Sigeyoshi Kashara, Kaoru Wakabayashi,. Sadao Sugawara, Atenosake Kimura, Shohei Uozemi and Shoji Kamata. They were accompanied by Seiichi Morisawa, head; Masami Kase, coach; and Michihiko Kunehiro, cultural attache of the Japanese Embassy.
The visiting team is returning to Japan tomorrow after playing a series of five games in Manila. They will make their final appearance tonight against the formidable NCAA selection.
Agriculture Secretary Juan de G. Rodriguez and Rep. Luciano Millan of Pangasinan were among the first callers of the President today. They took up with the Chief Executive matters pertaining to the functions and management of the Agricultural Tenancy Commission.
President Garcia also received Capt. and Mrs. Pat Bohling who were honored guests during the celebration of Philippine Aviation Week.
Capt. Bohling will be remembered as the intrepid flyer who established a world’s record for a non-stop solo flight from Manila to Seattle aboard a light plane.
The American couple were accompanied by Col. Urbano Caldoza, CAA administrator, and Mike Campos, president of the Philippine Airmen’s Association.
Brig. Gen. Pelagio Cruz, PC chief, called on the President to submit a report on the peace and order situation in the country which he described as “very good.”
Maj. Constantino C. Navarro, deputy chief of the CIS, accompanied Gen. in his call on President Garcia.
President Garcia’s last callers this morning were members of the board of directors of the Philippine Homesite and Housing Corporation with whom he conferred until almost 2 p.m.
PRESIDENT Garcia approved in principle a proposal to sell certain properties of the People’s Homesite and Housing Corporation during a conference in Malacañang this morning with officials of the state housing firm.
The President’s approval was given subject to the condition that the board submit a sound financing plan to insure the wise investment of the proceeds of the sales.
Present at the conference which was held in the President’s study room were Manuel Leelin, Enrique J. L. Ruiz, Salud Parreño, Sergio Ortiz Luis, and Pedro Fernandez, members of the PHHC board of directors.
The sale of these properties was suggested as a means of enabling the PHHC to raise funds to finance the construction of low-cost houses for people in the low-income bracket in keeping with the Administration’s program of social amelioration for the masses through shelter.
The PHHC officers told the President that a ranking official, without prior consultation with the board, had assured the employees of the government corporation that they would be given Christmas bonuses.
They said the board is not disposed to give bonuses this year because of the tight financial position of the PHHC. President Garcia backed their stand and cited a Cabinet resolution prohibiting losing government corporations from giving bonuses.
The President was also informed that they had stepped up their collections by holding project managers responsible for collecting the rentals of units in their respective areas.
They were told by the President to increase their earnings so that they could pay the amortization on their loan with the GSIS and secure the balance of their unreleased loan amounting to ₱11 million for the completion of their unfinished projects.
The PHHC directors suggested to the President that a reorganization of the firm be effected in order to cut down expenses and achieve maximum efficiency. They said the corporation is saddled with too many emergency employees resulting in an overlapping of duties and functions.
Director Ruiz showed President Garcia plans for a “core” house which he said would cost from ₱2,500 to ₱3,000 to build. It contains the minimum requirements for living and is designed to allow construction of additional rooms.
Ruiz also presented plans for a house built of local materials with an estimated construction cost of from ₱300 to ₱500 only. This type, Ruiz said, is easily within the reach of majority of the people, especially those in the rural areas.
PRESIDENT Garcia this afternoon challenged his critics to come forward with evidence and substantiate charges of influence peddling contained in the “white paper.” At his regular press conference—the last for the year—the President said he could not bet on charges which are based merely on “gossips and rumors.”
He underscored his present campaign to weed out grafters when he launched his drive for a general “house-cleaning,” but deplored the fact that those who raised charges could not present evidence to substantiate them.
Asked if Senate President Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr., who authored the “white paper” had submitted any evidence to substantiate charges of influence peddling involving men close to Malacañang, the President said: “Amang (Rodriguez) said he based his report merely on gossips and rumors and he could not prove them.”
At his press conference, the President:
1. Reiterated his new policy to give greater emphasis on the country’s relations with her Asian neighbors;
2. Justified the present budgetary imbalance;
3. Predicted a sweeping victory for the Nacionalista Party candidates in the coming elections;
4. Branded as “speculative” reports of an impending reshuffle in his Cabinet;
5. Disclosed he is still studying the administrative cases of National Treasurer Vicente Gella, Undersecretary of Finance Jose P. Trinidad, and Director of Animal Industry Laureano Marquez; and
6. Indicated that Miguel Cuaderno will stay as governor of the Central Bank.
Before answering newsmen’s questions, the President said he was giving the last press conference for the year 1958, as he plans to go out of town next week.
He greeted the newsmen with a “Merry Christmas and a happy new year,” for he said he may not be able to extend the season’s wishes until after the next press conference next year.
He observed that the press has made it “hot for me during the year.” and expressed the hope that he would get a “better temperature next year.”
December 20.—THE President received members of the Presidential Fact-
Finding Committee at a breakfast conference held this morning in his private residence on Bohol Avenue, Quezon City.
This morning’s caucus marked the last day of existence of the Calinawan committee, as the President said he considered their work of going into the venalities in the Bureau of Customs as “finished.” He thanked them for a job “well done.”
Lt. Cmdr. Marcelino Calinawan, PFFC chairman, submitted a report of their achievements, findings, and recommendations and informed the President that each of them considered it an honor and a privilege to have been of service to the country.
He also pledged the “unstinted support and undying loyalty” of the members to the Administration and said he hoped that their efforts had contributed in some way to the realization of the Administration’s goal of a clean and honest government.
THIS NOON, President and Mrs. Garcia motored to Baesa, Quezon City, to inspect the Damara Poultry Farm on the invitation of Don Andres Soriano, owner and operator of the farm.
The farm has an area of four hectares and is equipped with the latest in gadgets for producing and raising better breeds of fowls. It is used as a research center and a pilot project of the San Miguel Brewery, Inc.
The President evinced interest in the Chicktester which determines the sex of day-old chicks and which is reportedly 99 per cent accurate. Another machine on the farm is used for differentiating fertilized eggs from sterile ones.
After going around the farm, President and Mrs. Garcia took lunch with Don Andres Soriano, executives of the San Miguel Brewery, Inc., and their wives. They motored back to their residence on Bohol Avenue after resting a while in a model barrio home built within the compound of the farm.
IN THE EVENING, the President received Lt. Gen. Alfonso Arellano, Armed Forces chief of staff, who called to press for the approval of his retirement. Gen. Arellano also took up with the President plans for the reorganization of the AFP general staff as a result of his retirement.
Source: University of the Philippines, College of Law Library
Office of the President of the Philippines. (1958). Official Week in Review. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, 54(37), dxxiii-dxxxiv.
