Enrile to fade away from political scene if son wins Senate seat

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile plans to “slow down” and fade from the Philippine political scene should his son Juan “Jackie” Ponce Enrile Jr. win a Senate seat in 2013.

 

In a radio interview, Enrile said his son will run under the United Nationalist Alliance of former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and Vice President Jejomar Binay’s PDP-Laban. The younger Enrile represents Cagayan's fist distict in the House of Representatives.  

 

“Pag nanalo ang anak kong si Jack, I will slow down. I will help them but my presence in the national scene will be toned down,” the elder Enrile, 88, told dzBB radio.

 

He said he has to “accept the fact” he is advanced in age, and will guide his son for the last three years of his term. The elder Enrile’s term ends in 2016.

 

Enrile said his son plans to inform the Nationalist People’s Coalition that he is joining UNA. He said there is no conflict, as the NPC does not plan to set up a national ticket for the 2013 polls.

 

On the other hand, the elder Enrile contested perceptions that he may be perpetuating a political dynasty by having his son maintain the family’s presence in the Senate.

 

He said his son is “more than qualified to become a senator,” adding not he but the voters will decide whether he will be a senator of the country.

 

“It’s the people of the country who will decide,” he said.

 

The elder Enrile also dared his detractors to run for the Senate as well and raise the issue. “Nobody is preventing them from running,” he said.