Enrile returns to gov't as Marcos' chief legal counsel


Former senate president Juan Ponce Enrile is officially back to public service, this time, as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s chief legal counsel.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (Malacañang photo)

Enrile took his oath as Chief of Presidential Legal Counsel on Tuesday, July 26, Malacañang said.

The designation of the 98-year-old lawyer is coming full circle as he served as secretary of Finance; secretary of Justice; and minister of National Defense from 1966 to 1986 during the incumbency of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

He also played a major role as being among the public figures who launched a coup against the late dictator.

Enrile has served four terms in Senate: during the 8th Congress from 1987 to 1992, when he became the Minority Floor Leader; in the 11th Congress from 1995 to 2001; and then in the 13th Congress up until the 16th Congress, from 2004 to 2016.

He was the 26th Senate President of the Philippines, having served from 2008 to 2013.

Enrile graduated cum laude with a law degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law; and before that, finished cum laude with an Associate of Arts Degree from Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) in 1949.

He also graduated from the Harvard School of Law with a Master of Law degree and a specialization in International Tax Law.

Enrile was tapped by Marcos Jr. to be his chief legal counsel on June 17. He was a staunch supporter of the tandem of Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during the 2022 elections.

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