OLDEST, LONGEST-SERVING PUBLIC EXEC

Palace wishes Enrile ‘joy, good health’ on 100th birthday

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday hosted a lunch for the 100th birthday of his chief legal counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile, and honored the centenarian’s significant contributions to the country’s development.

Marcos thanked Enrile for taking on the challenge as the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the current administration, making the latter the oldest and longest-serving public official in the country.

“He is a remarkable person and I’m just so happy to have known him…I must admit, to have him in my corner allows me to sleep better at night,” he said in a speech delivered during Enrile’s birthday celebration at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

Marcos recalled that he had sought Enrile’s advice on public service, even before his presidency.

He also conferred on Enrile a Presidential Letter of Felicitation during the event.

“To have a life that has reached 100 years that is full of achievement, that is full of purpose, that is full of service, that is full of duty makes this celebration a more remarkable one than it would normally be,” Marcos said.

Meanwhile, Enrile said starting his career in government under the watch of Marcos’ father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., is “the happiest moment of [his] life.”

He thanked Marcos Sr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos for giving him the opportunity to serve the country.

“I would like to thank your father and your mother for what they did to make me what I am today before you,” Enrile said.

“The happiest moment of my life was when I served the first presidency of a Marcos President and the second time is now that I’m serving the son of that president, our President BongBong Marcos,” he added.

Good health

In a Facebook post, Malacañang wished Enrile “joy and good health.”

“The Office of the President (OP) extends warm birthday wishes to our Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile… Wishing you a year filled with joy and good health,” it said.

The OP also hailed Enrile’s “tireless efforts in serving (the country).”

Enrile, who spent his nearly six decades in public office, is a “constant inspiration to us all,” the OP added.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed meeting and shaking hands with House Speaker Martin Romualdez as both attended Enrile’s birthday celebration in Malacañang. /