Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday paid tribute to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, calling him ‘one of the most enduring and respected public servants’ in Philippine history. In a statement shared on social media, Marcos reflected on Enrile’s decades-long service to the nation, which encompassed law, governance, and public policy, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s political and legal landscape.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos remarked on the significant contributions Enrile made over his 50-year career, guiding the Philippines through some of its most challenging and defining moments. The President issued this statement shortly after Enrile’s passing was announced by his daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile.

Marcos highlighted Enrile’s brilliance as a legal mind, noting that even in his later years, he remained sharp and steadfast in his belief that law and governance must serve the Filipino people. Marcos emphasized that Enrile’s death marked the end of an era but assured that his influence would continue to shape the nation’s institutions and public service.

President Marcos concluded his message with a personal note of gratitude, thanking Enrile for his lifelong dedication to the country. Enrile, who passed away at 101, had a storied career serving as Senate President, Defense Minister, and more recently as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the Marcos administration. His career spanned both the Marcos Sr. and post-EDSA People Power governments, establishing him as one of the country’s most influential political figures for over half a century.