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"Perhaps four hours
after Enrile and Ramos announced their breakaway, Cardinal Sin appealed to Manileņos to
go to the camps in large numbers to 'express our solidarity with our two good friends
there.' Within an hour and a half, about 40,000 of us were clogging EDSA. It was a joyous
crowd. The atmosphere was that of a Philippine fiesta."
Fr. Vic Helly, SJ |
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home > the people > juan ponce
enrile A remarkable
man like Juan Ponce Enrile cannot be better than a man who is willing to serve his
country. He got the name "Action Agad Enrile" in 1965, when he first entered
government service as the Undersecretary of Finance and concurrently acting Insurance
Commissioner and Commissioner of Customs. Then, he was appointed Secretary of Finance and
acting Chairman of the monetary Board from 1966-68; Secretary of Justice from 1968-70; and
Secretary of National Defense from 1970-86. During his 20-year service in the executive
branch of government, Mr. Enrile took at various times the roles of Chairman of the
Philippine National Bank, National Investment Development Corporation, Philippine Coconut
Authority, National Police Commission, United Planters Corporation. Other men would be
satisfied with these exceptional deeds, but Juan Ponce Enrile, unlike other men, would
desire to do more for his country.
The EDSA Revolution of 1986
inscribed a lasting note to the Philippines history books and Enriles public
life. After the boisterous snap elections of February 7, 1986, and amidst the lengthy
exigency and paralysis that gripped the country following the assassination of former Sen.
Ninoy Aquino, he retracted his support for the Marcos government and assisted in leading
the military revolt that triggered the victorious People Power Revolution. With then Armed
Forces Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos, they assemble the ranks of the Philippine military
behind the rebellion. After four days of confrontation on EDSA, during which an ocean of
citizen flooded the streets to participate in the revolt, the Marcos administration
crumbled. Juan Ponce Enrile was a crucial part and a vital point in the course of the
Filipinos success against the Marcos Regime.
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