The hearings on the detainees started today with Commander Melody [Benjamin Bie Jr.] making a good witness and Sen. [Jose] Diokno complaining about the procedure and walking out. The hearing was continued by Chief Prosecutor [Emilio] Gancayco.
Tomorrow, Poncair Dizon alias Commander Buyco testifies as the political commissar of Commander Dante [Bernabe Buscayno] on how he gave orders to the front organizations in Manila.
We have been meeting with the Liberal candidates who will carry Nacionalista senators—Gov. [Arsenio] Villarosa of Mindoro Occidental, Ex-Mayor Pablo Cuneta of Pasay, [Gregorio] Murillo [Sr.] of Surigao Sur. Now Rivera of Bulacan wants to meet me.
Conferred on the new witnesses on the Plaza Miranda bombing with Jolly Bugarin, NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] Director.
Called the leaders by radio to check on the campaign.
Ordered the 1969 tobacco to be paid by PVTA [Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration].
Official Gazette for November 2, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS received scheduled callers in the morning, among them Michael V. Stolen, outgoing vice-president of the First National City Bank of New York, on whom he conferred the Golden Heart Presidential Award.
The President conferred the award on Stolen “in recognition of his signal service to the nation during his stewardship of the FNCB of New York in which he manifested a sincere concern for the country’s development and a friendship for the Filipinos.”
Present at the award ceremony, which was held at the President’s study, were Sen. Lorenzo Teves, Central Bank Gov. Gregorio S. Licaros, Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes, who read the citation, and FNCB officials led by incoming Vice President Eastabrooks and Ramon Orosa, resident vice president.
The President spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening working on piles of official papers in his private study.