Former Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has passed away at the age of 101.
The bereaved family announced Enrile’s passing on November 13, 2025 in a social media post which read as follows:
“It is with profound love and gratitude that my father, Juan Ponce Enrile, peacefully returned to his Creator on November 13, 2025, at 4:21 p.m., surrounded by our family in the comfort of our home. It was his heartfelt wish to take his final rest at home, with his family by his side. We were blessed to honor that wish and to be with him in those sacred final moments.”
“On behalf of our family, I extend our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support we have received during this difficult time. Your kindness means more than words can express,” the statement concluded.
Born on February 14, 1924, in Cagayan, Enrile graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1949 and later earned a master’s degree from Harvard Law School in 1955.
Enrile held several key positions in government, starting under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., first as Acting Finance Secretary, then as Justice Secretary, and eventually as Defense Minister.
A key figure during the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, Enrile was once one of President Marcos’ closest allies but later turned against him during the 1986 People Power Revolution.
As Senate President from 2008 to 2013, he presided over the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
In 2014, Enrile faced plunder and graft charges over the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds but was later granted bail due to his age.
Despite controversies, he returned to government in 2022 as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Last October, he was acquitted of multiple graft charges at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund scam.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
