Enrile’s daughter to Cayetano: If you’ll invoke my father’s name, be accurate

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s daughter on Wednesday called on those invoking her father’s name, particularly Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, to at least be accurate and respectful of his record.

Katrina Ponce Enrile, who currently serves as chief of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, issued the appeal after Cayetano cited Enrile’s case to justify preventing the arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada within the chamber despite outstanding warrants.

READ: WATCH: Tension flares between Cayetano, Remulla during Jinggoy arrest

In those remarks, Cayetano claimed Enrile was charged with “rebellion,” a remark Katrina directly disputed.

“Senator Cayetano seems to have a penchant for using my father’s case as an example. That’s his choice. But if my father’s name is to be invoked repeatedly in public discourse, then I hope the facts are treated with the same care and respect that we would want afforded to anyone else’s history,” said Enrile’s daughter in a public statement.

“As his daughter, it is difficult to watch a man who can no longer defend himself be reduced to abbreviated versions of events that are readily available for verification,” she added.

According to Katrina, her father was not charged with “rebellion,” but “rebellion complexed with murder,” which was a legal theory ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court for being a non-existent crime under Philippine law.

She stressed how these legal distinctions are important as it reflects the general truth about her father.

“I’m not asking anyone to like my father or agree with his choices. Public figures invite strong opinions, and he certainly earned his share. But if his name is going to be your historical example, then honor history itself with accuracy,” said Katrina.

READ: Juan Ponce Enrile dies at 101

“A man who can no longer defend himself deserves at least that much … Surely, that is not too much for a daughter to ask. Enough already, please,” she asked Cayetano

It was on Nov. 13, 2025, when Enrile, the country’s longest-serving political figure, died at the age of 101. /apl /atm