Enrile, from architect of martial law to advisor to Marcos Jr, dies

A legal expert and politician, he was one of dictator Ferdinand Marcos's closest aides, designing and implementing martial law. But he was also a key figure in the 1986 crisis that ultimately brought down the regime. Still at the centre of politics, he served as legal advisor to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. even as he approached his 100th birthday. A divisive figure, he was for some, a symbol of political skill, for others, an emblem of elite impunity.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the most enduring, controversial, and influential political figures in contemporary Philippine history, died today, 13 November, at the age of 101.

His daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, reported his death on social media: “He dedicated much of his life to the service of the Filipino people. At this time, we humbly ask for the public’s understanding as our family takes a brief moment to grieve privately and honor his memory together in quiet and in peace.”

A graduate from Harvard Law School, Enrile, after meeting Ferdinand Marcos in 1950, then a rising star in Philippine politics, went on to hold various government positions: undersecretary of Finance, commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, secretary of Justice, and finally secretary of Defence.

Between 1972 and 1981, he promoted the imposition of martial law and theorised and set up an emergency regime under which Marcos, the current president's father, eliminated the opposition and favoured the expansion of the military's power, including in the economic sphere, a decision that plunged the country into poverty.

According to Amnesty International, during the dictatorship, tens of thousands of opponents were killed, tortured, raped, or arbitrarily detained. More than 11,000 survivors have received official compensation.

During the 1986 political crisis that led to the regime's downfall, Enrile broke with Marcos and briefly served as Defence Minister in the government of the new president, Corazon Aquino. He was eventually dismissed on charges of fomenting dissent within the army ranks.

Enrile’s political career could have ended there; instead, he was elected as senator the following year and remained at the centre of Philippine politics.

In 2008, he was elected president of the Senate and led the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

His decisions split public opinion. On the one hand, some accused him of political manoeuvring; on the other, others praised him for maintaining the balance between democratic institutions.

Even today, Enrile, whose face often circulates online among young people's memes, is for many Filipinos a symbol of discipline, wit, and dedication to the state; for many others, he is the emblem of repression, political hypocrisy, and the impunity of the political elites who have dominated Philippine political life for decades.

His political career, which was marked by investigations, arrests, and recent acquittals, ended as an advisor to current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. After the latter’s electoral victory in 2022, Enrile was appointed “chief presidential legal counsel”.

“We say goodbye to one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known,” President Marcos said in a statement, noting that Enrile “dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments”.