Mike Enriquez 

"An angel of the airwaves who safeguarded the country."

House Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto gave this loving description of the late broadcaster Mike Enriquez on Wednesday, Aug. 30, as tributes for the latter continued to pour. 

"Paalam sa isang anghel sa ere na nagtanod sa bayang ito. Salamat sa limang dekadang pagbibigay ng balitang walang kinikilingan at pawang katotohahan (Farewell to this angel of the airwaves who safeguarded this country. Thank you for five decades worth of giving us unbiased and truthful news)," Recto said. 

Enriquez, one of the founding anchors of GMA-7's popular 24 Oras news program, died at the age of 71 on Tuesday, Aug. 29. 

"Mike did not only chronicle historic events, but also annotated our daily lives," Recto said. 

"His delivery of news and opinions on matters that hurt the people, in his trademark staccato fashion, was like the rapid fire demolition of excuses and alibis of the guilty," the Batangueño said. 

"While we steamed inside our cars in unmoving traffic, he railed against a failed transportation system which has been at standstill for too long. While we cowered in fear as typhoon winds batter our homes, he joined us in prayer, called out for help, and directed it to where it is badly needed. When high prices ate people’s incomes, emptying their pockets and their pots, he demanded government action and compassion," Recto said. 

"He was an old school journalist who was fair in reportage and fearless in his opinions with facts, and not fake news, as his basis and guide," he added of Enriquez.