The House plenary (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives adopted on late Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 6 a resolution expressing the chamber’s profound condolences to the family of veteran broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez, who passed away last Aug. 29. 

Adopted during plenary session was House Resolution (HR) No.1254, which also extolled the beloved Enriquez for his illustrious body of work on media. 

“The industry and GMA-7 have just lost a broadcasting giant. The death of Mike Enriquez has left a void in the industry and in his beloved network his colleagues would struggle to fill. His absence will be felt for a long time,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said of Enriquez, who at the age of 71. 

Romualdez, leader of the 311-strong House of Representatives, described the late Enriquez as a “tireless media practitioner, an anti-corruption, an anti-abuse, and an anti-wrongdoing crusader". 

“He was a champion of the oppressed, the abused,” said Romualdez, an author.

In the adopted measure, lawmakers credited Enriquez for his “fierce dedication to his craft", where he stands as a “formidable pillar in media practice who tirelessly led the crusade to defend the rights of the disadvantaged and marginalized members of society".

“Enriquez’s famous catch phrases ‘Excuse me po!' ‘Pasensiya na po,’ and ‘Hindi namin kayo tatantanan!’ reflected his unbiased and unflinching approach to news reporting and upheld the journalistic principles of integrity, accuracy, objectivity, and openness,” it added. 

The network executive also “battled against dishonest and abusive public officials and servants.".

Against the backdrop of a colorful media career spanning 54 years, the House members also vividly remember Enriquez’s “distinct voice” that “resonated in every Filipino home and brought awareness to significant issues that confronted the country and the world".

“Mr. Mike Enriquez wholeheartedly served his audience with utmost passion, courage, and devotion, and left a legacy of hard work and truthfulness worthy of emulation and recognition by the entire Filipino nation,” read the resolution. 

A proud product of the De La Salle University (DLSU) from grade school all the way to college, he was also an “anchor of stability to his siblings, a model of diligence and fortitude to his friends and colleagues, and a generous but silent donor to religious and charitable organizations".

Enriquez started his “stellar career” in the country’s broadcast industry in 1969 when he joined the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) as a staff announcer, gaining experience in various fields of broadcasting before becoming a reporter, news editor, program director, and station manager. 

He later moved to GMA-7 network in 1995, where he began as a news anchor for “Saksi: GMA Headline Balita” before he rose to prominence as the host for the flagship news program “24 Oras” and the long-running GMA Public Affairs Program “Imbestigador". 

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan,  Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, along with Tingog Party List Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre, joined the Speaker in authoring HR No.1254. 

HR No.1254 was adopted in consolidation with five other proposed resolutions expressing the same sentiment. 

Enriquez was survived by his wife Lizabeth “Baby” Yumping.