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Advocates Philippines
Juan Ponce Enrile Passes Away At 101
Juan Ponce Enrile
MANILA — Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the most enduring and influential figures in Philippine politics, passed away on November 13, 2025, at 4:21 p.m., at his home surrounded by family. He was 101 years old.
His family confirmed his passing and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, asking for privacy as they mourn. Arrangements for public viewing and memorial services will be announced soon.
Enrile’s public life spanned more than seven decades, making him a towering presence in the nation’s modern political history. Known for his intellect, resilience, and controversial role in various chapters of Philippine governance, he helped shape the country’s political and legal institutions through both turbulent and transformative times.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Enrile built a reputation early on as a skilled lawyer and legal scholar. He later pursued further studies in the United States, reportedly attending Harvard Law School, although details of his degree remain unconfirmed in public records.
He first rose to prominence under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, serving as Secretary of Justice and later as Minister of National Defense. Enrile became a key figure during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, a turning point that led to the fall of the Marcos regime — an event that defined much of his complex legacy.
Following EDSA, Enrile transitioned into the legislature, serving multiple terms in the Senate, including two stints as Senate President. Known for his mastery of parliamentary rules and sharp command of debates, he was regarded as one of the institution’s most formidable figures.
Throughout his long career, Enrile was involved in crafting major legislation affecting national defense, public order, and government accountability. Despite numerous controversies — from martial law years to political rivalries — he remained a prominent voice in public affairs well into his later years, often consulted for his views on constitutional and legal issues.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the nation in paying tribute to Enrile, honoring his decades of service and intellect that helped shape Philippine governance.
“We say goodbye to one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known. For over 50 years, Juan Ponce Enrile dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments. Even in his final years, he remained brilliant, sharp, and firm in his belief that law and governance must always serve the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a statement.
“His passing marks the close of a chapter in our nation’s history. But the mark he leaves behind in law, in governance, and in the hearts of those he served will never be forgotten. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵, 𝘛𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺. 𝘗𝘢𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘢 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯.”
Enrile’s passing marks the end of an era in Philippine politics — the departure of a man whose life embodied both the power and paradox of the country’s political journey.
His family confirmed his passing and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, asking for privacy as they mourn. Arrangements for public viewing and memorial services will be announced soon.
Enrile’s public life spanned more than seven decades, making him a towering presence in the nation’s modern political history. Known for his intellect, resilience, and controversial role in various chapters of Philippine governance, he helped shape the country’s political and legal institutions through both turbulent and transformative times.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, Enrile built a reputation early on as a skilled lawyer and legal scholar. He later pursued further studies in the United States, reportedly attending Harvard Law School, although details of his degree remain unconfirmed in public records.
He first rose to prominence under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, serving as Secretary of Justice and later as Minister of National Defense. Enrile became a key figure during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, a turning point that led to the fall of the Marcos regime — an event that defined much of his complex legacy.
Following EDSA, Enrile transitioned into the legislature, serving multiple terms in the Senate, including two stints as Senate President. Known for his mastery of parliamentary rules and sharp command of debates, he was regarded as one of the institution’s most formidable figures.
Throughout his long career, Enrile was involved in crafting major legislation affecting national defense, public order, and government accountability. Despite numerous controversies — from martial law years to political rivalries — he remained a prominent voice in public affairs well into his later years, often consulted for his views on constitutional and legal issues.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the nation in paying tribute to Enrile, honoring his decades of service and intellect that helped shape Philippine governance.
“We say goodbye to one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known. For over 50 years, Juan Ponce Enrile dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments. Even in his final years, he remained brilliant, sharp, and firm in his belief that law and governance must always serve the Filipino people,” Marcos said in a statement.
“His passing marks the close of a chapter in our nation’s history. But the mark he leaves behind in law, in governance, and in the hearts of those he served will never be forgotten. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵, 𝘛𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯𝘯𝘺. 𝘗𝘢𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘢 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯.”
Enrile’s passing marks the end of an era in Philippine politics — the departure of a man whose life embodied both the power and paradox of the country’s political journey.
Nov 13, 2025
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