MANILA — Juan Ponce Enrile, chief presidential legal counsel to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and one of the most influential figures in Philippine political history, has passed away at 101.
“It is with profound love and gratitude that my father, Juan Ponce Enrile, peacefully returned to his Creator on November 13, 2025, at 4:21 p.m., surrounded by our family in the comfort of our home,” his daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, announced in a Facebook post.
She said it was her father’s wish to spend his final moments at home, adding that the family “was blessed to honor that wish.”
“He dedicated much of his life to the service of the Filipino people,” she said. “At this time, we humbly ask for understanding as our family takes a brief moment to grieve privately and honor his memory in peace.”
Katrina said details for public viewing would be announced once arrangements are finalized.
President Marcos paid tribute to Enrile, calling him “an icon in the pantheon of Philippine history” during a speech in Malacañang.
Final public appearance
Enrile last made headlines on October 24, 2025, when he appeared online from a hospital room to attend the promulgation of his graft cases before the Sandiganbayan. His daughter said he was then confined for pneumonia.
The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division acquitted Enrile, his former chief of staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, and businesswoman Janet Napoles of 15 counts of graft related to the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund.
“I thank the Lord foremost for this vindication and also the Honorable Justices of the Sandiganbayan who carefully studied the evidence and tried the case with fairness and discernment,” Enrile said after the ruling.
Five decades in public service
Before his appointment as chief presidential legal counsel in 2022, Enrile had already served in government for more than 50 years, holding key positions in both the executive and legislative branches.
He began his government career in 1966 when then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. appointed him finance undersecretary and later acting finance secretary. Enrile also served as concurrent acting chairman of the Monetary Board, head of the Insurance Commission, and commissioner of Customs.
In 1968, he became Secretary of Justice and later chaired the Board of Pardons and Parole. Two years later, he was named Secretary of National Defense, a post he held when Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in 1972.
Enrile remained in that role until 1986, when he and then Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos withdrew support from the Marcos administration, triggering the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the dictatorship.
He briefly served in the Cabinet of President Corazon Aquino before resigning later that year.
Long legislative career
Enrile transitioned to the legislature as an assemblyman representing Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) from 1978 to 1984, then Cagayan province until 1986.
He was elected senator in 1987 and served multiple terms until 2016. He held the position of Senate President from 2008 to 2010, and again from 2010 to 2013.
Enrile played key roles in two historic impeachment trials, first as a senator-judge in the trial of President Joseph Estrada in 2001 and later as presiding officer in the 2012 impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
He stepped down as Senate President in 2013 amid controversy over Senate funds.
Legal battles and acquittal
In 2014, Enrile was charged with plunder in connection with the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds. He surrendered to authorities and spent over a year under hospital arrest at the Philippine National Police General Hospital before being released on bail in 2015.
Nearly a decade later, in 2024, the Sandiganbayan Third Division acquitted Enrile, Reyes, and Napoles of plunder, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Legacy
A lawyer, law professor, and political strategist, Enrile’s career spanned nearly every era of modern Philippine politics—from Martial Law to the post-EDSA democratic restoration.
His life, marked by power, controversy, and resilience, left a complex but indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
