The World : Marcos Fires Key Official

Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos fired his foreign minister and rebuked his labor minister, apparently to quiet signs of dissension within the government. A presidential palace announcement said that Foreign Minister Arturo Tolentino is being dismissed as the result of a speech in which he criticized diplomatic appointments. Tolentino, 74, has often criticized Marcos’ power to legislate by decree and has also spoken out against the government’s handling of the economy. Labor Minister Blas Ople was asked to explain a speech he gave that appeared critical of official patronage.