In Search of Normalcy

Outside Manila's Malacanang Palace last week, artificial Christmas trees constructed of wire loops draped with red and white paper streamers overshadowed the surrounding palms. The only signs of the martial law imposed on the country last September were a few added sentries. Inside the palace, a gilded, 20-ft. artificial tree, adorned with mother-of-pearl ornaments, stood in the great chandeliered reception hall. In contrast, the office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was almost austere. Marcos last week talked with TIME Correspondent Roy Rowan, who sent this report:

Marcos looks tired. The three months of martial law and the assassination attempt on his wife, when a man with a knife slashed the First Lady during a ceremony in a park near Manila (TIME, Dec. 11), clearly show in the deep lines of his face. Marcos said he had been a little more cautious of late: "The problem for the First Family is that you have no defense against a man who is prepared to die in an attempt on your life."

During our 65 minute interview, a major topic was the new constitution --providing for a parliamentary instead of a presidential form of government --that Filipinos will be asked to endorse in a plebiscite on Jan. 15. Other subjects ranged from crime to Women's Lib. Excerpts:

Marcos said that he had "directed the media to encourage debate on the new constitution"--though opposition newspapers have all been closed down. But, the President said, "I would like to encourage those who are against the new constitution to come out and debate it. In fact I have instructed the military not to arrest, detain or question anybody for anything he may say against the new constitution."

If the new constitution is ratified on Jan. 15, would Marcos consider the emergency over and lift martial law? "The emergency has nothing to do with ratification of the new constitution," he replied. "Ratification of the new constitution offers us the chance to shift to normalcy when and if the time comes. If we don't ratify this constitution, the opportunity to shift to normalcy may be delayed for some time. But let's say a rebellion threatens our security. Let's say it happens next October or November. In that case I would have to call for a stricter form of martial law. Please take note, I said if this rebellion occurs. It is my hope that I can lift martial law by the end of 1973."

According to the new constitution, Marcos, who was limited to two terms under the old law, will be able to serve simultaneously as interim President and interim Prime Minister as long as he pleases. Manilenos joke that each day after the plebiscite, President Marcos will relinquish a little power and Prime Minister Marcos will gain a little. Asked if he had any idea how long after the ratification of the new constitution he would call for new elections, Marcos replied: "I would rather not speculate. Under the old constitution, an election would take place in 1973. Since martial law has been declared, presumably this election will not occur."

Other Marcos observations:

ON THE U.S. AND CHINA: How do you Americans put it? When the big boys play in the yard the small fellows stand on the side and watch. There is nothing much we can do, is there?

ON U.S. BASES: The matter is under negotiation. Since the trade agreements with the U.S. expire in 1974, the entire relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines is under negotiation. I don't want to undercut the negotiators.

ON WOMEN'S LIB: We are way ahead of you. In the Philippines we put women up on a pedestal. We retain some of the Old World chivalry that defers to women. There is no prejudice against women in professional life. Women have good judgment on investments. The husband who does not consult with his wife on investments is a strong-hearted man.

Just then Imelda Marcos, wearing a bright orange dress, her bandaged right arm hanging in a red bandana sling, slid quietly in through a side door and offered a bandaged left hand. She wore no makeup, but she didn't need any. Long curving fingernails, painted a shiny silver, protruded from the bandages on both hands and extended easily an inch beyond the end of her fingers. "You see," she said, "my hands are not only healing, they are manicured."

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