Former Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile is back from ‘retirement’ after being picked as the next Presidential Legal Counsel by President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
The 98-year-old brilliant lawyer and veteran legislator once served in the Cabinet of Marcos Sr. as secretary of justice, finance and later on, national defense before withdrawing his support for the deposed strongman in 1986 that lead to the People Power Revolution.
In a statement from Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Friday, the incoming Press Secretary said Enrile has already accepted the position and “reaffirmed his commitment to serve the country and ensure the success of the incoming Marcos administration.”
“I will devote my time and knowledge for the republic and for BBM because I want him to succeed,” Angeles quoted Enrile as saying.
Enrile retired from politics in 2016 after almost 50 years of public service in different capacity, from the executive branch to the legislative branch.
He was a close ally of Marcos Sr., and is widely believed to be the architect of martial law before joining Fidel V. Ramos in leading a coup that ultimately toppled the dictatorship.
Guevarra as Solicitor General
Aside from Enrile, incumbent Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has also been chosen to serve as Marcos Jr.’s Solicitor General.
According to Angeles, Guevarra has also accepted the nomination and will replace outgoing SolGen Jose Calida.
He will be replaced by Cavite Rep. Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla at the Justice Department.
Meanwhile, a former military general, Gen. (Ret.) Jose Faustino Jr. will be the next administration’s Defense secretary.
A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988, Faustino was a commander of the Joint Task Force Mindanao and was a commanding General of the Philippine Army before being appointed AFP Chief of Staff, according to Angeles.
He will be first appointed as Defense officer-in-charge OIC) and then as Secretary in November 2022 in compliance with the one-year ban on the appointment of retired military officers.
Angeles said all three appointees have already met with Marcos Jr. before the announcement was made.