President Marcos has paid tribute to the late Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, calling him a rare public servant who refused to take part in anything he believed went against the nation’s interest.

Marcos delivered the eulogy in Malacañan Palace on Friday, Nov. 21, describing Enrile as a statesman whose guiding principle was simple but unwavering: step away when the country’s welfare is at stake.

“He would remove himself and say, ‘I do not agree with this… I cannot be part of this,’” he said, emphasizing that Enrile never crossed that personal red line in decades of public service.

The President said the Philippines may never again see someone with Enrile’s combination of intellect, experience, and national devotion.

Marcos revealed that Enrile was not 100 years old at the time of his centennial celebration last year, but 103 — a discovery made only after his wartime documents resurfaced.

“This man was 103 years old, which is even more remarkable,” he said, recalling how Enrile joked that he “might be older” because his records were lost during the war.

The President called Enrile “old school,” praising his discipline, propriety, and dedication to every task — from high-stakes government decisions down to children’s birthday parties he insisted on attending.

Marcos spoke personally about Enrile, calling him “Tito Johnny,” a mentor and longtime adviser to both him and his late father.

He said Enrile remained devoted to the Marcos family through crises and transitions, and continued to offer guidance well into his final years.

“Thank you for everything that you have done for me, for my family, and even in the time of my dad,” the President said.

President Marcos highlighted Enrile’s exceptional career, having served in key positions across the executive, legislature, and even the judiciary. Before his passing, he served as Marcos’ chief presidential legal counsel.

He said Enrile’s influence shaped major policies and institutions, but his identity remained rooted in one calling: “national servant.”

“He was devoted to his work, he was devoted to his family, he was devoted to the country. And there is no higher praise that I can make of anyone that I know who has served in government, who has served the country,” Marcos said.

“There is no greater praise for anyone than to say that he lived, he was willing to die, he was willing to bleed for the country. And that's what we will miss. Perhaps we don't find so many of those people anymore,” he added.

Although the Palace ceremony was solemn, Marcos described it as a moment not only of mourning but of gratitude for a life lived in full service to the Filipino people.

He said he still half-expected Enrile to rise during the mass and correct “some detail in the law,” a habit the late statesman never abandoned.

“Goodbye, Tito Johnny… We will never forget you,” Marcos said, closing his eulogy with a personal farewell to the country’s longest-serving political figure.