President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to Juan Ponce Enrile Sr. as his chief legal counsel, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sworn into office today, July 26, 2022, Juan Valentin F. Ponce Enrile Sr. as Chief of Presidential Legal Counsel,” the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said in a statement.
The OPS did not provide additional details about Enrile’s oath-taking.
Enrile, 98, is one of the prominent personalities who backed the presidential bid of Marcos.
His nomination as Marcos’ chief legal counsel was first announced on June 17.
His appointment came after his revelation that there was a supposed plot by certain groups in the United States and the Philippines to “cause serious embarrassment and trouble for our newly elected President.”
Enrile has vowed to devote his “time and knowledge for the (Philippine) Republic and for BBM (Bongbong Marcos).”
He has served in government for more than 50 years. He was acting finance secretary from 1966 to 1968, justice secretary from 1968 to 1970, and minister of national defense from 1972 to 1986.
Enrile spent four terms in the Senate and became the 21st Senate President during the 15th Congress from 2008 to 2013.
He also served one term in the House of Representatives as representative of Cagayan’s first district.
In 2016, Enrile announced his plan to retire from public service.
However, three years after his supposed retirement, he joined but lost the 2019 senatorial race.
In a Facebook post, Marcos vouched for Enrile’s competence to provide legal assistance for him and his administration.
“Pormal na nating itinalaga si dating Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile bilang chief presidential legal counsel. Buo ang tiwala ko sa kakayahan at karanasan ni Enrile bilang lingkod-bayan kaya naman umaasa ako na lalong mapabubuti ang pagbibigay ng legal assistance patungkol sa mga magiging aksyon ng ating administrasyon (We formally designate former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as chief presidential legal counsel. I have full confidence in Enrile’s competence and experience as a public servant. That is why I look forward to better legal assistance for the actions our administration would take),” he said. (PNA)