Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile
MANILA. Philippines — “Judge me.”
Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile had that to say to people who think that he was running again for the Senate just to redeem himself.
Enrile, along with former Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., was charged and detained over the so-called “pork barrel” scam. All three are seeking a comeback in the Senate in the May 2019 elections.
“What do I have to redeem? My case is there. It will be decided according to evidence. Let the people decide. Judge me,” Enrile told reporters over dinner on Wednesday.
“I’ve been a part of this country for some time. I’ve done quite a number of things for the country, and maybe some think that I have done some damage to the country. Let the people speak up and judge me,” he added.
Enrile stressed he had nothing to hide.
“It’s not for me. It’s for the country,” he said of his decision to run for the Senate. “Maybe you don’t believe it but that’s my position.”
At 95 years old, the former senator said he never planned of going back to politics.
In fact, he said, he only made the decision on the last day of filing of certificate of candidacy, citing his desire to share his knowledge about federalism.
The Duterte administration has been pushing for the shift to federalism from the present presidential form of government.
Enrile also said he did not seek President Rodrigo Duterte’s endorsement though grateful that presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, raised his hand at a rally in San Andres, Manila.
Asked why he did not get the President’s endorsement, Enrile said: “Nahihiya ako e.”
But he admitted that Duterte’s endorsement would be a big help to boost his candidacy.
“Any help will be an addition, not a subtraction,” Enrile added. /cbb