News
Juan Ponce Enrile passed away at 101
Photo Inside Page
Photos
Former Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile passed away on Thursday afternoon, November 13, 2025, his daughter Katrina Ponce Enrile confirmed in a heartfelt post on Facebook. He was 101 years old.
“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,” Katrina wrote.
She shared that it was her father's wish to spend his final moments at home. “It was his heartfelt wish to take his final rest at home, with his family by his side. We were blessed to honor that wish and to be with him in those sacred final moments,” she said.
Enrile, a towering figure in Philippine politics who served in government for over half a century, dedicated much of his life to public service.
“He dedicated much of his life to the service of the Filipino people. At this time, we humbly ask for the public's understanding as our family takes a brief moment to grieve privately and honor his memory together in quiet and in peace,” Katrina added.
She also expressed her family's gratitude for the outpouring of support and condolences.
“On behalf of our family, I extend our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support we have received during this difficult time. Your kindness means more than words can express,” she said, adding that details for public viewing will be announced soon.
In a speech at Malacañang, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. paid tribute to Enrile, describing him as “an icon in the pantheon of Philippine history.”
Just weeks before his passing, Enrile had continued to make headlines. On October 24, 2025, he appeared online from his hospital room, where he was being treated for pneumonia, to witness the Sandiganbayan's promulgation of his graft cases. The court 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 (PDAF).
“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 following the decision.
In the days leading up to his death, the Senate offered prayers for the former Senate leader's recovery after Senator Jinggoy Estrada revealed that Enrile had been confined in the intensive care unit “with a slim chance of surviving.”
Juan Ponce Enrile leaves behind a storied and controversial legacy marked by decades of service, from his roles under multiple administrations to his long tenure in the Senate. His passing marks the end of an era for one of the Philippines' most enduring political figures.
Meanwhile, here are some celebrities, news personalities, showbiz pillars we lost
