FORMER Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte on Thursday night mourned the passing of former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.’s chief presidential legal counsel, describing him as a towering statesman whose long public life helped steer Philippine governance for decades.
Romualdez said Enrile left an imprint on major political and policy milestones spanning decades.
He described the former Senate President “as a figure whose discipline, sharp legal mind, and command of national issues earned him respect even from those who differed with him politically.”
Romualdez paid tribute to Enrile’s steadfast commitment to public service, stressing “that the former Senate President’s presence in national debates consistently raised the level of discussion.”
As he offered his prayers to the Enrile family, Romualdez said the former Senate President’s legacy will continue to guide lawmakers as they confront the nation’s toughest decisions.
For Romualdez, “Enrile’s long life in public office stands as a testament to resilience and duty — qualities he said younger generations of leaders must strive to uphold.”
He said Enrile’s work in law, governance, and legislation will continue to be part of the nation’s institutional memory.
With tributes coming from across the political landscape, Romualdez “encouraged reflection and unity, saying such moments underscore the need for service guided by principle and responsibility.”
Enrile, one of the longest-serving figures in Philippine political history, leaves behind a legacy of decades of work that continues to influence national policy and institutional reform, according to Romualdez.
His passing, Romualdez said, “is felt not only in the halls of the Senate and the House of Representatives but across a country that witnessed his many roles in public life.”
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