“I will not accept any more government posts, my God. I’m 93, I’m going to be 93 years old. 50 years in service, more than half a century of service is more than enough. But I will always watch what’s going on in the country.”
This was what Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said on Mon, Jun 6, as he ended his 27 years as legislator. Overall, Enrile has logged a total 50 years in public service.
Enrile made a brief impromptu speech announcing his retirement as the 16th Congress held its last session.
“The veteran lawmaker – with an impressive public service career even before being elected senator in 1987 – had a reputation for tearing apart arguments of people he faced on the Senate floor, or interrogated at Senate hearings. His legal prowess and intellect shone through when, as Senate President in 2012, he presided at the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona,” recalled Ernie Reyes on InterAksyon.com.
Enrile later stated that he will spend his time in retirement being busy with “farming, fishing, gallivanting.”
Meanwhile, an ABS-CBNnews.com report noted: Enrile has continuously served in the legislative from the 8th to the 16th Congress, except during the 12th Congress (2001 to 2004). He turned 92 last February. But in 2014, Enrile, along with fellow senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, were indicted for plunder and graft in 2014. He has gained temporary liberty after posting a PHP1.45 million bail in 2015.”
