For his birthday wish, the 100-year old Chief Presidential Legal Counsel (CPLC) Juan Valentine Ponce Enrile had asked everyone to support the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“And I would like to ask you as a special gift to me on my 100th year. Starting from the lowest – of our society, to help the President succeed— not for himself but I wish that he will succeed for himself, but I wish we will help him,” Secretary Enrile said during his birthday reception in Malacanang as he turned 100 years old on Valentine’s Day.
“And I ask you and beg you to help for the sake the country and our people,” he added.
A grateful also Enrile turned emotional on Wednesday as he recalled his fondest memories serving the elder Marcos and now with his son and namesake.
In his speech during the celebration for his 100th birthday at the Malacañan Palace, Enrile, known for his initials JPE, thanked former First Lady Imelda Marcos and the late former president Marcos Sr. “for what they did to make me what I am today before you.”
“I must tell you that 100 years of living in this world is a fleeting time but it recalls to my mind all the dramas, the sufferings, the challenges, and so many things that happened in my life,” Secretary Enrile said while trying to hold back his tears.
“But most of all, the happiest moment of my life was when I serve the first presidency of a Marcos President and the second time – now that I’m serving the son of that president, our President Bongbong Marcos,” he added.
A simple lunch for the 100th birthday celebration was hosted by President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for Enrile at the Malacañan Palace. It was attended by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Speaker Martin Romualdez, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez, Marcos, former Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada, Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, Office of the President officials and close family and friends of JPE.
Secretary Enrile graciously thanked the President for his kind remarks and for hosting the event.
“I cannot express to you how I feel this day, but thank you. And thank you, Madame First Lady, for giving me – for the … that was sent to me and for this lunch,” Enrile said.
President Marcos honored Secretary Enrile for his exceptional contributions to the country in his career in government service. PND
