Marcos, public figures pay tribute to Juan Ponce Enrile
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., government officials, and famous personalities are mourning the death of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Enrile died at the age of 101 on Nov. 13, surrounded by his family, according to his daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile. Just one day prior to his death, Katrina had revealed that her father was admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit due to pneumonia.
Decades before Marcos Jr., Enrile served as the Secretary of National Defense and was instrumental in the implementation of Martial Law in 1972. In a statement, Marcos gave tribute to "one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known."
“For over 50 years, Juan Ponce Enrile dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments. Even in his final years, he remained brilliant, sharp, and firm in his belief that law and governance must always serve the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a statement.
“Maraming salamat, Tito Johnny. Paalam at salamat sa isang buhay na buong puso mong inalay para sa bayan,” he continued.
Meanwhile, during the Senate session on Nov. 13, Senate President Tito Sotto took a moment to honor Enrile, who served as the 21st Senate President from 2008 to 2013.
“[Enrile] has dedicated his whole life, even until his last days, to public service, and we will remember him for his formidable intellect and passion for the people, especially for the employees of the Senate,” Sotto said.
“As we mourn his passing, we find comfort in knowing the legacy of Manong Johnny will always live on, etched within the walls of this institution that he loved, and his service to this nation will forever be etched in the hearts of the people.”
Sen. JV Ejercito wrote a tribute with photos of him and Enrile through the years. He recalled his encounters with the late politician when he was still a neophyte Senator.
“Being a natural mentor himself, JPE was always generous in sharing his wisdom and experience from his long and illustrious career in the service of our people to neophyte legislators like me,” reminisced Ejercito. “His legacy will be forever etched in our nation’s history. Maraming salamat sa iyong pagseserbisyo sa bayan. Rest in Peace, JPE.”
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada bade farewell and shared a short message: “Paalam, Manong Johnny. Habambuhay kang nakaukit sa aking pagkatao. Hindi matatawaran ang ating pinagsamahan sa loob at labas ng Senado.”
Sen. Imee Marcos wrote a simple tribute, saying in Ilokano, “Dios ti kumuyog,” which translates to “God be with you.”
Meanwhile, Sec. Larry Gadon, Presidential Advisor for Poverty Alleviation, remembered Enrile for his mind.
“Few minds have shaped our national story across so many generations the way yours did. For decades, you stood at the center of history, thinking several moves ahead, dissecting laws and arguments with a sharpness that belonged not just to one era, but to many. Your legacy will be debated, studied, and remembered for years to come. But what no one can deny is the sheer brilliance, discipline, and brainpower you brought to every table you sat at.”
House Minority Leader Cong. Nonoy Libanan also sent his condolences.
“Muli, ipinaaabot ko ang ating pakikiramay at panalangin para sa kapahingahan ng kaniyang kaluluwa. Nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga lingkod-bayan ang kaniyang halimbawa ng paglilingkod at katatagan.” expressed Libanan.
For her part, Department of Budget and Management Usec. Goddes Hope Libiran thanked Enrile for his “enduring legacy.”
“You have lived a remarkable life devoted to service and country. May your memory continue to inspire generations to serve with courage, wisdom and integrity.”
Celebrities, personalities react
Meanwhile, tributes for Enrile also emerged on social media from local celebrities and personalities.
Replying to Katrina's post, broadcast journalist Karen Davila wrote, "Deepest condolences Katrina. Sending prayers to you and your family. An end of an era for a towering figure in Philippine history."
Ruffa Gutierrez also left a comment, saying, "My deepest condolences, Momma @ponceenrile. I will miss all the stories he shared with us."
Social media personality Madam Ely posted a tribute on Facebook, saying that he is honoring Enrile and "the fierce and brilliant intellect that defined him to his last breath."
"I may not have always agreed with his ways, but I never failed to admire his mind, sharp as a blade, precise as memory, and unafraid of any argument. Even in the twilight of his years, he could dissect an issue with the same clarity that once commanded the halls of power," he wrote.
"When I visited him before he finally rested, I saw a man at peace yet still wrestling with ideas, still curious, still alive in thought. It reminded me of his favorite poem, The Spider and the Fly. For in the grand game of life and death, Enrile was always both observer and participant, both the spider spinning reason and the fly testing fate. I walked away humbled, grateful to have witnessed the last glimmer of that formidable mind."
Enrile is survived by his wife, Cristina Ponce Enrile, and their two children, Jack and Katrina.