The 1970 winners, the twentieth recipients of the awards, were divided into six categories, open only to English and Filipino [Tagalog] short story, poetry, and one-act play:
- First Prize: Ines Taccad Cammayo, “People of Consequence”
- Second Prize: Emmanuel Lacaba, “Punch and Judas”
- Third Prize: Ninotchka Rosca, “The Southern Seas”
- First Prize: Hilario Francia Jr., “Selected Poems”
- Second Prize: Alfredo O. Cuenca Jr., “Selected Poems”
- Third Prize: Elsa M. Coscolluela, “Becoming and Other Poems”
- First Prize: Nestor S. Florentino II, “Run, David, Run”
- Second Prize: Elsa M. Coscolluela, “Burning”
- Third Prize: Elsa M. Coscolluela, “Blood Spoor”
- First Prize: Ricardo Lee, “Servando Magdamag”
- Second Prize: Dominador Mirasol, “Ang Bangkay sa Dalampasigan ng mga Uwak”
- Third Prize: Domingo Landicho, “Dugo sa Kanyang Pagsilang”
- First Prize: Wilfredo Pa. Virtusio, “Vida”
- Second Prize: Levy Balgos Dela Cruz, “Ang Uwak”
- Third Prize: Rogelio Sikat, “Saan Pupunta ang Paruparo”