President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday paid tribute to former Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, calling him one of the country’s “most enduring and respected public servants” as he expressed the nation’s grief over the passing of the veteran statesman.
Marcos said Enrile devoted more than five decades of his life to public service, helping guide the Philippines through some of its most difficult and defining periods. He described the former lawmaker as brilliant, sharp, and unwavering in his belief that the law must always be used to serve and protect the Filipino people.
In his statement, the President noted that Enrile’s death “marks the close of a chapter in our nation’s history,” acknowledging the immense influence the longtime public servant had on governance, legislation, and national discourse. Despite stepping back from the public spotlight in recent years, Marcos said Enrile remained intellectually formidable and committed to the principles he spent his life defending.
The President also emphasized that Enrile’s legacy will remain deeply embedded in the institutions he shaped and in the lives of the people he served across generations. He said the public should remember not only Enrile’s role in major political events but also his lifelong dedication to the responsibilities entrusted to him.
Marcos ended his message with a personal note of gratitude, saying, “Maraming salamat, Tito Johnny. Paalam at salamat sa isang buhay na buong puso mong inalay para sa bayan,” reflecting both the respect and familial closeness shared between the two.
Enrile’s passing comes as the nation reflects on decades of political transformation, much of which he witnessed and helped steer. His contributions, Marcos said, will continue to be felt long after his chapter in public service has come to an end.
