Miriam’s passing saddens Johnny

Despite their differences, former-Senator Juan Ponce Enrile (right) said he felt sad with the passing of his nemesis former-Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILES

They might have been at odds with each other while they were in the Senate but former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was  saddened by the passing of former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whom he described as a “very articulate” and “very perceptive” person.

“Ipinagdadasal ko sya,” Enrile said in a phone patch interview with Senate reporters on Thursday.

“Hindi ako nagtatanim ng masamang kalooban sa maski sino. At ngayon pinagdadasal ko sya,” he said. “May she rest in peace with the Lord.”

READ: Miriam Defensor-Santiago passes away at 71

Asked if he was saddened by Santiago’s passing, Enrile said: “Aba, syempre . Kung may mamamatay na kilala mo syempre malulungkot ka rin di ba?”

“Hindi ako nagtatanim ng masamang kalooban maski kanino. Pinagdadasal ko yung mga naging katunggali ko sa buhay,” he said.

Enrile said whatever disagreements he and Santiago had in the past were just part of the history.

“Wala na. Basta I pray for her, I will say silent prayers for her,” he said.

Asked again what he thought Santiago had contributed to the country, Enrile said: “Well, she was a very articulate person and very perceptive so I don’t know how much contributions she has given to the country.”

“Let the historian write about that. Mahirap mong i-assess ang tao during your lifetime. Let the objectivity of historians do the assessments.”

Enrile said he might attend a necrological service for Santiago at the Senate. CBB/rga