The Senate has adopted the resolution expressing sympathy, condolences on the passing of veteran broadcast journalist Miguel “Mike” Enriquez on Wednesday, September 6.

Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara condoles with the family of the late television and radio broadcaster Mike Enriquez as he recognizes his great contribution in articulating the hopes, frustration, and fears of each and every Filipino during Wednesday’s plenary session, September 6, 2023. (Senate PRIB Photo)

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, in his manifestation for Senate Resolution No. 775, hailed Enriquez, “as one great statesman of our race.”

“For 30 years, our days were bookended by his presence on radio and TV. He read the news at night, and explained its impact on our daily lives in the morning. And he did it in a manner that generated light than heat,” Angara said in his speech. 

Angara said the veteran journalist was a constant presence for Filipinos and was good at articulating the Filipinos’ hopes for prosperity, frustrations and fears. 

“Mike lives on in the journalists he had mentored, truth tellers he had inspired—those will carry the torch that will cast a light on the truth, and not burn it so lies live and democracy dies in darkness,” he said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, a former journalist, said news of Enriquez’s passing has left the Filipino community with a “profound sense of sadness and loss” as former colleagues in the broadcasting industry and as Filipinos “because we know Mike, not just a prominent figure in the field of journalism and broadcasting but also a well-loved personality who touched many lives.”

“As former colleagues in the industry, even while we were on different stations, I can say that there was never any inch of competition. He had always been very professional, and I would say, even as a friend,” Legarda said.

“I would like to associate with the views of my distinguished colleagues on the passing of a great man in journalism and broadcasting,” she said.

Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla likened Enriquez’s achievements to the feat of the country’s national heroes Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar during the time they founded the La Solidaridad.

“These are the journalists who fearlessly fought to promote the welfare of the people,” Padilla said in Filipino during his privilege speech.

“And if we look at the day of his death, August 29, it is also very important in our history because it is the battle in San Juan, which really ranks him among the heroes. And it's also funny to think, the next day, Aug. 30, is National Press Freedom Day,” he pointed out. 

“That's why it is an honor to pay tribute to our late brave heroes who fought for the welfare of the people,” Padilla said.