I. Announcement: A Peaceful Return to the Creator
The Philippines bids farewell to one of its most enduring and consequential political figures. Juan Ponce Enrile, a man whose career spanned over seven decades and witnessed nearly every major epoch in modern Philippine history, peacefully passed away on November 13, 2025, at the age of 101.
The passing was announced by his daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, in a statement released to the public. The veteran statesman returned to his creator at 4:21 p.m., surrounded by his immediate family in the tranquility and comfort of their home.
The family honored his profound wish to spend his final moments in their private residence, emphasizing the sanctity of their time together.
“It is with profound love and gratitude that my father, Juan Ponce Enrile, peacefully returned to his Creator on November 13th, 2025, at 4:21 p.m., surrounded by our family in the comfort of our home,” the statement read. “It was his heartfelt wish to take his final rest at home with his family by his side. We were blessed to honor that wish and to be with him in those sacred final moments.”
In the wake of this monumental loss, the Enrile family has humbly requested privacy to grieve and collectively honor his memory in quiet reflection. Details regarding the public viewing and funeral arrangements will be shared promptly once finalized, ensuring that all who wish to pay their respects will have the opportunity to do so.
II. A Life Dedicated to Service
Juan Ponce Enrile dedicated the vast majority of his life to the service of the Filipino people. His career, marked by periods of immense power, controversy, and survival, made him a constant fixture in the nation’s political landscape, serving through multiple administrations across various branches of government.
His journey was a testament to his longevity and intellectual stamina, positioning him as an eyewitness and participant in the nation’s most pivotal historical moments. From his early years as a brilliant legal mind to his roles as Minister of National Defense, a key figure in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, and a long-serving senator, Enrile’s political footprint remains indelible.
The family extended their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of affection and support they have received, acknowledging the profound impact their patriarch had on the public consciousness.
“On behalf of our family, I extend our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support we have received during this difficult time. Your kindness means more than words can express,” concluded Katrina Ponce Enrile’s statement.
III. The Philosopher-Statesman: Final Reflections
In a poignant interview, seemingly conducted around the time of his final birthday, the elder statesman offered reflections that distilled a century of lived experience into profound philosophical advice. Enrile spoke with a weary yet accepting tone about the tumultuous nature of his long life, acknowledging the inevitable mix of success and failure that characterizes any great endeavor.
Enrile emphasized the futility of regret and the imperative of gratitude, offering a timeless perspective on life and its challenges:
“I must say that I have had the good fortune of living through my time in adversity, in difficulties, triumphs, and despair—and the struggle and defeats. I have had those things, and it’s too late to regret. It’s too late to say I was happy, I was sorry, I was sad.”
He implored his audience to embrace the present moment and acknowledge a higher power, urging simplicity and thankfulness:
“Just be happy that you are alive yet and be grateful to your Creator that you are living on a day today because of Him.”
IV. A Final Wish for the Nation
When asked for his final birthday wish—a wish that now serves as his political testament—Enrile’s focus was not on himself but entirely on the collective future and welfare of the Philippines.
His final prayer for his country was a plea for stability, prosperity, and order:
“I wish the country will be happy and the country will be well. The country will be peaceful. The country will be stable and will remain stable, and the people will go their ways happily, acting according to the laws of our country to pursue their individual desires, ambitions, plans, and dreams.”
This final sentiment reflects a life spent within the highest echelons of government, culminating in a simple, heartfelt desire for the nation’s continued peace and adherence to the rule of law.
The passing of Juan Ponce Enrile closes a remarkable chapter in Philippine history. His legacy—complex, transformative, and always consequential—will undoubtedly be debated and analyzed for generations to come, but his final words urge the nation toward unity, gratitude, and persistent stability.
