Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is coming out of retirement at the age of 98 to serve as legal counsel to President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., on track to making history as a centenarian in public office.
The nonagenarian, whose political career will now span eight Philippine presidents starting from Marcos Jr.'s father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was quoted as saying: "I will devote my time and knowledge for the republic and for BBM because I want him to succeed".
Discussing the secret to his long life, Enrile said in 2019 that he preferred to call it "longevity and not immortality" which he attributed to his capacity to quickly "move on". His house helpers said the nonagenarian does regular breathing exercises and prefers to have light dinner meals rich in greens.
Here's what you need to know about Juan Ponce Enrile:
Oldest Cabinet Official
At 98, Enrile is the oldest to hold a Cabinet post. By the time he finishes Marcos Jr.'s six-year-term, Enrile would be a centenarian at 104 years old.
Born in 1924, Enrile's longevity has long been the subject of public amusement (and memes online).
He has seen two pandemics in his lifetime, two world wars, a dictatorship, the restoration of democracy, and even the culmination of the Philippines' 97-year quest for a gold medal with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz's win in 2021.
Martial law implementer
As defense minister to Marcos Sr., Enrile implemented martial law wherein "tens of thousands" were arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and disappeared, according to international human rights watchdog Amnesty International.
In a recent vlog interview with Marcos Jr., Enrile said: "Name me one person that was arrested because of political or religious belief during that period. None…. Name me one person that was arrested simply because he criticized President Marcos. None."
Two-Time Senate President
Part of Enrile's legislative portfolio is his stint as a two-time Senate President, first under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2008 to 2010, and again under the late Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III from 2010 to 2013.
Enrile, who was first elected to the Senate in 1987, a year after the People Power Revolution, saw four terms in the Senate. He won a second term in 1995 and won two more successful terms in 2004 and 2010.
It was during Enrile's leadership when the Senate first ousted a chief justice, the late Renator Corona in 2013. He also faced plunder charges as a senator for his alleged role in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam along with Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla.
Both Estrada and Revilla are back in the Senate after winning seats in the recent May 9 and 2019 midterm elections respectively.
Enrile has been out on bail for humanitarian reasons since 2015 after the Supreme Court cited his poor health.
He almost came back in 2019
In 2019, Enrile ran for senator and lost. He was 95 then.
At the time, Enrile said his attempt at a political comeback would be his last and that he would no longer seek an elective post should he lose. He expressed a desire at the time to be Senate minority leader should he have won.
During his last successful Senate run, Enrile simplified solution to the Filipino's plethora of problems with his campaign slogan, "Gusto ko happy ka." This means freedom from costly power bills.
Return to the public eye
Prior to being announced as Marcos Jr.'s legal counsel, Enrile briefly returned to the public eye in May 2021 to join President Rodrigo Duterte for the latter's weekly public address, which became a habit since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020.
During the meeting, Enrile shared his insights on the West Philippine Sea disputes with China. Enrile was Senate president when Manila and Beijing figured in a standoff at Scarborough Shoal.
Enrile said the approach when it comes to the maritime dispute should be "friendly" and not "aggressive."
Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.
