MANILA, Philippines — His popular slogan “Gusto ko happy ka” reverberated in the halls of the upper chamber as senators paid tribute on Tuesday to former Senate President and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.
Wheelchair-bound, 100-year-old Enrile came to the chamber to personally receive Senate Resolution No. 1223, honoring him for his “untiring service and contributions to the county and the Filipino people.”
READ: Enrile says ‘no regrets, no mistakes,’ as he turns 100
The resolution was initiated by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and was unanimously adopted by the chamber.
“I’m really overwhelmed by this event,” Enrile said, “I never expected that I will come back to this chamber in a wheelchair…”
The Senate had to suspend its rules to allow him to respond to the resolution.
“Thank you for granting me this honor. Thank you for giving me this resolution,” said Enrile.
“Perhaps this will be the last honor that I will receive, but nonetheless, from the bottom of my heart, I’m grateful and thank you very much,” he added.
Escudero led his colleagues in honoring the legacy of Enrile, particularly during his four terms or 24-year stint in the Senate.
“Today, we welcome back to the Senate a man whose wisdom enriched this institution in the four terms he served here,” the Senate chief began.
“Actually, it can be said that he never left,” he said, citing the records of Enrile’s words spoken, and the many laws that bear his name.
With Enrile’s experience, sharp mind and work ethic, Escudero said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “is lucky to have this legal heavyweight in his corner.”
Escudero later talked about Enrile’s “secret to longevity.”
“In fact, it is no secret. He had frequently shared his secret to long life, a long time ago. And it is –‘Gusto ko happy ka!’” the Senate chief said.
This catch phrase was also mentioned by other senators, including Nancy Binay and Joel Villanueva.
“Dito mismo sa Senado, tinotoo niya ang pangako niyang “Gusto ko happy ka,” dahil naging daan siya upang mapaganda ang benepisyong natatanggap ng mga Senate staff na hindi naman maikakailang babad sa trabaho,” Binay said.
She also called Enrile the “undisputed Grand Old Man of Philippine politics” having witnessed many of the upheavals and triumphs of the country.
“Time will be the ultimate judge of Juan Ponce Enrile’s place in our nation’s narrative. Many will even say that JPE is not a perfect man, that he had his share of faults. But that is exactly what it means to be human. And what determines our greatness is our effort to overcome these faults to serve the greater good,” she said.
Like Binay, Villanueva noted how Enrile’s family in the Senate will always love and remember him “because he was consistent and faithful to his favorite line: “Gusto ko happy ka.”
“This was no mere campaign slogan, but a true manifestation of his commitment as a public servant who puts the welfare and interest of the public above all,” Villanueva said.
Sens. Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Robin Padilla, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also stood up on the floor to honor Enrile.
“At 100 years old, his brilliance as a politician and a public servant remains unmatched,” Zubiri said.