Senate honors former chief Enrile

The Senate on Wednesday held a necrological service for former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, paying tribute to the veteran lawmaker and statesman whose public service spanned more than seven decades.

He died on November 13 at age 101 while undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

Enrile’s remains arrived at the Senate at 8:58 a.m. and were brought to the plenary hall, where incumbent and former officials gathered to honor one of the most influential and enduring figures in Philippine politics.

The ceremony drew political heavyweights from various administrations and parties.

Enrile served four terms in the Senate and held the chamber’s top post from 2008 to 2013.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, and Senators Erwin Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and JV Ejercito delivered eulogies highlighting Enrile’s imprint on legislation, governance, and political transitions over several decades.

“This day, we not only mourn, but celebrate the life and accomplishments of Manong Johnny,” Sotto said.

“He once walked on this very floor as a senator, opposed legislation, investigated people and testimonies where he debated crucial points, played crucial roles,” he added.

Arroyo, under whose presidency Enrile served as Senate President from 2008 to 2010, described him as a figure of unmatched stature, intellect, and loyalty.

“Juan Ponce Enrile will surely go down in history as one of the most awe-inspiring political figures of our time. Truly a legend in his own lifetime,” she said.

“Beyond his public achievements, Manong Johnny combined intellect with personal loyalty and kindness — my family remembers this well,” Arroyo added.

Arroyo, who was also a former senator, recalled Enrile’s ties to her father, former President Diosdado Macapagal, noting that he “never turned my father down.”

During the Macapagal administration, Enrile served as acting Commissioner of Customs and briefly as acting Secretary of Finance.

Among those who attended the Senate rites were incumbent senators Bam Aquino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Erwin Tulfo, Lito Lapid, and Mark Villar; former senators Richard Gordon, Francisco Tatad, Orly Mercado,, Jamby Madrigal; and Nancy Binay, now the mayor of Makati City.

Libingan ng mga Bayani

Earlier on Wednesday, his daughter Katrina Ponce Enrile invited the public via Instagram to join the family at the burial scheduled on November 22 at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

In an Instagram post, Katrina shared the following details for his father’s interment on the said date:

• 8:15 a.m. - funeral mass at Santuario de San Antonio Church
• 10:00 a.m. - arrival honors at Libingan ng Mga Bayani
• 11:00 a.m. - interment 

“We invite you to join us as we lay Juan Ponce Enrile to rest on November 22 at Libingan ng mga Bayani…Funeral Mass: 8:15 a.m. Burial to follow. Come as you are, with whatever is in your heart,” the family said.

“For a century, he walked among us. Now we walk him home…Whatever memories you carry of Juan Ponce Enrile: as statesman, as controversial figure, as mentor, as friend, we welcome you to stand with us in prayer as we release him to God’s mercy,” added the family.

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala told GMA News Online that Enrile will receive military honors and a 21-gun salute.

“Yes, sa (the internment will be at the) Libingan ng mga Bayani. Preparations would be for the interment ceremony with military honors and the 21-gun salute,” Dema-ala said in a message.—with reports from Joviland Rita/ MCG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News