Enrile, 94, cites knowledge over physical strength

Stressing his mental prowess over physical strength, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile offered yesterday his wide experience and grasp of domestic and international issues when he rejoins the 24-member Senate through the May 2019 midterm elections.

The 94-year-old legislator said that he is seeking a Senate seat anew not for himself but for the Filipino people who are groaning under the heavy weight of high prices, among others.

He stressed that he has studied the past three years numerous global and local issues such as the controversial Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law; the proposed expensive shift to a federal form of government; the unabated rise in the price of oil products because the country does not have oil wells; forthcoming global oil supply scarcity; peace and order; and the continued criticisms against the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign when it is the youth that are the victims of the multi-billionpeso drug trade.

Enrile warned that the country would be put in a bind if the shift to a federal form of government is rushed through a plebiscite in February without in-depth studies.

‘’My house is full of books and computers,’’ he said, adding that he would campaign and explain his political program through social media.

While he might still live at the age of 101 if he wins in the senatorial race and stays in the Senate for six years, Enrile stressed that he can still walk and has poor eyesight but can still read.

He said his stay in the Senate for the full six years but everything depends on the will of God.

Although he is facing trial on plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam along with former senators Jose ‘’Jinggoy’’ Estrada and Ramon ‘’Bong’’ Revilla Jr., Enrile said the Constitution’s Bill of Rights states that anyone is presumed innocent and the government has not proven that he is guilty.

He was the Justice Secretary of the late President Marcos.

Aside from Enrile, Estrada and Revilla have recently filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Senate at the Commission on Election (Comelec).