President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday delivered a deeply personal eulogy for former Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, honoring the longtime statesman as a mentor, legal luminary, and dedicated servant of the Filipino people.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, and with deep sorrow, I extend my prayers and condolences to the family of Juan Ponce Enrile,” Marcos said. “We mourn his passing, but we also give thanks for the long and meaningful life he lived in service to the country.”
In a speech that drew from decades of personal and professional interaction, President Marcos recalled Enrile’s influence on Philippine society, law, and governance.
He described a relationship that began in childhood, through family connections, and matured over years of collaboration in Congress and the Senate.
The president painted an intimate portrait of Enrile as a man of remarkable intellect, discipline, and moral rigor.
He recounted moments when Enrile’s insight saved a company millions in taxes, and shared anecdotes of Enrile’s mentorship during legislative debates, including guidance on complex legal and religious matters.
“He was my tutor. He was my mentor,” President Marcos said. “Even when he was Senate President, he would still find the time to come down and give advice and guide me. I considered myself very, very lucky,” he added.
The President also highlighted Enrile’s unwavering dedication to the national interest, saying the former senator would refuse to participate in actions he deemed against the country’s welfare, regardless of personal or political considerations.
Mr. Marcos recalled Enrile’s intellectual rigor and insistence on excellence, noting that the statesman continued working and advising up to the end of his life.
“His brain was a 20-year-old brain in a 100-year-old body,” the president said, referencing Enrile’s centennial milestone, later clarified to be 103.
The eulogy underscored Enrile’s legacy not just as a legal and political figure, but as a Filipino whose life was defined by service, integrity, and mentorship.
