President Marcos Explains his "New Society"

Philippine President Marcos explains his "New Society" plan for the ordinary Filipino since declaring Martial Law through-out the nation on September 21, 1972.



Initial measures - In his first address to the nation after issuing Proclamation
No. 1081, President Marcos said that martial law has two objectives: (1) to save the republic, and (2) to "reform the social, economic and political institutions in our country."

In accordance with the two objectives, President Marcos issued general orders and letters of instruction to that effect:

General Order No. 1 -- The President proclaimed that he should govern the nation and direct the operations of the Government, including all its agencies and instrumentalities, as Commander-in-Chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines;

General Order No. 2 -- The President directed the Secretary of National Defense to arrest or cause the arrest and take into his custody the individuals named in the attached list and to hold them until otherwise so ordered by the President or by his duly designated representative, as well as to arrest or cause the arrest and take into his custody and to hold them otherwise ordered released by him or by his duly authorized representative such persons who may have committed crimes described in the Order;

General Order No.3 -- The President ordered that all executive departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, government owned or controlled corporations, as well all governments of all the provinces, cities, municipalities and barrios should continue to function under their present officers and employees, until otherwise ordered by the President or by his duly designated representatives. The President further ordered that the Judiciary should continue to function in accordance with its present organization and personnel, and should try and decide in accordance with existing laws all criminal and civil cases, except certain cases enumerated in the Order.

General Order No. 4 -- The President ordered that a curfew be maintained and enforced throughout the Philippines from twelve o'clock midnight until four o'clock in the morning.

General Order No. 5 -- All rallies, demonstrations and other forms of group actions including strikes and picketing in vital industries such as in companies engaged in manufacture or processing as well as in production or processing of essential commodities or products for exports, and in companies engaged in banking of any kind, as well as in hospitals and in schools and colleges are prohibited.

General Order No. 6 -- No person shall keep, possess or carry outside of his residence any firearm unless such person is duly authorized to keep, possess or carry any such firearm.