Kwentong Kapuso: A riposte to Juan Ponce Enrile’s memoir

This article was published on the Filipino Reporter, a content partner of GMA News Online. In a recent phone conversation with Ambassador Carmelita R. Salas, former envoy of the Philippines to the Czech Republic, we had the occasion to recall the episodes involving her late husband, Rafael M. Salas, mentioned in the autobiography of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Enrile acknowledged the common bonds between him and Salas from their student days in the University of the Philippines until Salas’ passing away in March 1987 in Washington, D.C. Both of them were outstanding scholars in U.P. and Harvard and served as among the best and the brightest in the cabinet of President Marcos. Salas was the youngest among the first set of cabinet members when he was appointed Executive Secretary in the initial term of Marcos while Enrile started as Undersecretary in the Department of Finance and eventually became Secretary of National Defense. Salas abruptly quit his powerful position in the summer of 1969 to assume the stewardship of what is now one of the heralded development institutions in the United Nations, the UN Fund for Population Activities while Enrile became the catalyst in the historic EDSA I. It would be noteworthy to recall that particular event mentioned in the autobiography of Enrile when he called Salas at his residence in New York that afternoon of the fateful day in February 1986. Enrile appealed to Salas to take care of Enrile’s family should dire consequences befall him in the process of his challenge to the authority of President Marcos. Salas assured him that he will carry out his wishes, as well as his prayers for a successful outcome. I was in Manila attending a social occasion at the residence of Commissioner Romeo Firme when I heard over the radio the unmistakable voice of Enrile announcing his breakaway from the Marcos regime. I immediately excused myself from my hosts to call Salas. To my surprise, he told me why I was calling him. He said Johnny (Enrile) called him a couple of hours ago and narrated the nature of their conversation. Nowhere was in the narration of Salas that part in Enrile’s autobiography where the latter requested Salas to explain to the Member States of the UN regarding the action Enrile was to undertake against Marcos. Firstly, the revolution embarked by Enrile was an internal matter and as such any involvement, direct or indirect, by any Member State would be a violation of the sacrosanct principle of sovereignty. Secondly, Salas, in his capacity as the Executive Director of the UNFPA, is an international civil servant and would not be in a position to explain the reasons behind Enrile’s action. Salas instructed me to monitor the developments and call him at the earliest opportunity as they occur. Heeding the instructions of Salas, I called again to inform him the assumption of President Cory Aquino as the Head of State and the consequent formation of her cabinet. Among those who were tapped to comprise her team were, Juan Ponce Enrile as Secretary of National Defense; Joker Arroyo, Executive Secretary, Nepthali Gonzalez, Secretary of Justice, Jaime Ongpin, Secretary of Finance, Ernesto Maceda, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Fidel Ramos, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Salas directed me to personally convey the following to Enrile upon being informed of his inclusion in the cabinet of President Cory Aquino. First, tell him that he owes it to the Filipino people to write down his memoirs at his earliest opportunity regarding the events that led to the successful revolution having played a crucial and focal role. His early written accounts of what transpired will prevent others from compromising the authenticity, accuracy and integrity of a global phenomenon that happened in the country. Second, tell him to resign his position as Secretary of National Defense, the earlier so much better. Should he procrastinate in resigning, the president will most likely fire him. He will be the odd man in the team of the new president. All his colleagues in the Cory cabinet were his bitter adversaries when he was the administrator of the martial law under Marcos. He should not expect their cooperation but rather forewarned that they will continue to demonize him. Third, be circumspect in dealing with those close to the president. Give them enough rope to hang themselves. They have been deprived for so many years and will be in a hurry to recoup what they feel they are entitled to. Enrile flashed that enigmatic smile upon hearing these messages which unfortunately and regrettably, he didn’t follow. What happened is now history with futile efforts to revise them. - Filipino Reporter