Malacañang has celebrated Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile's centennial birthday, with two former presidents in attendance.
President Marcos hosted a luncheon for Enrile's 100th birthday at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, Feb. 14, where he, along with former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and other officials, celebrated the remarkable life of Enrile.
"We have two former presidents here, President GMA and President Erap, which just, I suppose, manifest the scope of the life of our celebrant here today," Marcos said in the beginning of his speech.
"I must say it is a distinct and singular pleasure to be able to host Tito Johnny here on his centennial birthday. It really is a more remarkable not just--- you know, people who have survived a hundred years, we already applaud them just for surviving a hundred years," he said.
The President honored Enrile, whom he calls Tito Johnny, for attaining the "status of an icon in the pantheon of Philippine history."
"[T]o have had a life of 100--- 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 much more remarkable one than it would normally be," he said.
Marcos also expressed his happiness for knowing Enrile, saying "to have him in my corner, gives me--- allows me to sleep better at night than if he were not there."
Towards the end of his speech, Marcos offered a toast to the birthday celebrant using an Italian phrase that means: May you live 100 years.
"There is a toast in Italian which is cent' anni which stands for 100 years. So, Tito Johnny, cent' anni and more," the President said.