Senators honor late veteran broadcaster Mike Enriquez

FILE PHOTO: Mike Enriquez. INQUIRER PHOTO/ JAM STA ROSA

MANILA, Philippines — Praises continue to pour for veteran broadcaster Mike Enriquez, who died on Tuesday afternoon at 71.

At the Senate, lawmakers described Enriquez as “an important pillar of the broadcast industry” as they believed his legacy would live on.

“Hindi matatawaran ang kanyang galing, kredibilidad at dedikasyon sa paghahatid ng balita at pagtulong sa kapwa (His talent, credibility and dedication to delivering news and helping others cannot be compared),” Senator Grace Poe said in a statement.

“Nalulungkot tayo na hindi na natin maririnig ang boses nyang puno ng sigla sa paghahatid ng balita na siyang gumigising sa atin tuwing umaga (We are saddened that we will no longer be able to hear his voice full of enthusiasm in delivering the news that wakes us up every morning),” she added.

READ: Veteran broadcaster Mike Enriquez dies at 71

Poe also said Enriquez leaves an immense work that will continue inspiring people to deliver the news.

Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, characterized Enriquez as an ally of the poor because he was able to bring them closer to the truth and justice they were looking for through his programs.

She hailed him for becoming a rival of the corrupt, thieves, and abusers whom he investigated and relentlessly pursued.

“Gaya ng marami, mamimiss ko ang pagkawala ng boses ni Mike Enriquez sa ating mga radyo at telebisyon (Like many, I will miss the absence of Mike Enriquez’s voice on our radios and television,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

READ: Mike Enriquez: A man of talent, dedication and good journalism

“Sa kabila nito, mananatiling buhay ang kanyang legasiya, at ang kanyang mga kwento, biro at aral sa ating puso. Umaasa ako na darami pa ang mga broadcaster at media workers na susunod sa yapak ni sir Mike at maghahatid ng serbisyong totoo sa buong bansa,” she added.

(Despite this, his legacy, stories, jokes and lessons will live on in our hearts. I hope more broadcasters and media workers will follow in Sir Mike’s footsteps and deliver true service to the country.)

For Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, hearing Mike Enriquez’s famous quote, “Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan, walang kasinungalingan, serbisyong totoo lamang,” was something he would missing.

“Napakalaki ng legasiyang iiwan ni Manong Mike Enriquez, bilang isa sa pinaka pinagkakatiwalaang mga boses sa mundo ng pagbabalita (Sir Mike Enriquez will leave a great legacy, as one of the most trusted voices in the world of journalism),” he said.

“My prayers go out to his family in this difficult time. I hope that they know that he will never be replaced and will never be forgotten. Paalam po, Mike Enriquez (Goodbye, Mike Enriquez.),” Zubiri added.

READ: Mike Enriquez, ‘Imbestigador’ of TV and radio; 71

Senator Lito Lapid likewise extended his condolences to Enriquez’s loved ones, remembering the distinguished broadcaster’s work as an anchor in GMA’s “24 Oras” and own investigative docuseries “Imbestigador.”

“Ang kaniyang pagpanaw ay isang napakalaking kawalan sa ating news and media industry, Mami-miss po natin ang kaniyang tinig at positibong disposisyon sa paghahatid ng wasto at tamang balita at komentaryo sa maiinit na isyu ng bayan,” said Lapid.

(His passing is a great loss in our news and media industry. We will miss his voice and positive disposition in delivering accurate and correct news and commentary on hot issues.)

“Tiyak po ang kaniyang puwang o espasyo sa kasaysayan ng free press sa ating bansa (He has marked his place or space in the history of the free press in our country),” he added. Jezvette Kyelle Mapagdalita, trainee

READ: Bongbong Marcos pays tribute to Mike Enriquez: ‘A pillar in our broadcasting industry’