Know the new Senate president: Where Juan Ponce Enrile stands on issues
By Lei Chavez, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/18/2008 5:10 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
Charter change: Enrile filed a resolution in the Senate calling for a constituent assembly which will analyze the pros and cons of ChaCha. After being elected Senate president, he hinted at a re-opening of discussions on Charter change.
Memorandum of Agreement-Ancestral Domain: He was against the MOA-AD and commented that the government should send a good lawyer with a thorough understanding on peace negotiations as part of the panel.
C-5 insertions: Enrile said he already conducted his own preliminary inquiry as finance committee chairman and found that this was the "subject of human error" and can be "sufficiently explained." He admitted it was Villar who added the insertion but "thinks there is no intention to steal."
Fertilizer fund scam: He questioned Villar's decision to sign a warrant of arrest against Bolante, saying the decision was not discussed with other Senate members.
Euro generals: He refused to sign the subpoenas for the euro generals made by Sen. Mirriam Defensor on the ground that he is only mandated to sign "administrative matters".
Oil prices: Enrile warned oil firms that if they don't lower their prices, he will sponsor a bill that will impose excess-profit tax.
ZTE-NBN deal: Enrile asked the Senate investigating committees to hasten the hearings and come out with a report that recommends legislative measures.
North Rail project: Enrile exposed in a privilege speech during the ZTE-NBN probe in 2007 that former House Speaker Jose De Venecia asked him to keep quiet about the overpriced North Rail project in 2005. Enrile said they will investigate and expose the real deal "regardless of who gets hurt."
Career timeline
1953 - Earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, cum laude.
1954 - Took his oath as member of the Philippine Bar, ranking No. 11 among the successful bar candidates with a rating of 91.72%. He got a perfect score in Commercial Law.
1955 – Obtained his Master of Laws at the Harvard Law School, specializing in taxation and corporate reorganization.
1955-1966 – Practiced law as a partner at the Ponce Enrile, Siguion Reyna, Montecillo, Belo and Ongsiako Law Offices.
1956-1964 – Taught at the Far Eastern University College of Law.
1966 – Appointed undersecretary of finance. Shortly after, he was made chairman of the board of directors of the Philippine National Bank and then designated as concurrent acting head of the Insurance Commission. While at the Finance Department, he was appointed acting secretary of finance and concurrent chairman of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines.
1968 – Appointed Secretary of Justice until 1970.
1970 – Appointed Secretary of National Defense until 1971 when he resigned to run for the Philippine Senate.
1972 – Re-appointed Secretary of Defense.
1986 – Participated in the historic EDSA people power revolt.
1987-1992 – Served as senator and became a lone minority in the Senate.
1992-1995 – Served in the House of Representatives.
1995-2001 – Served as senator and was designated chairman of the committees on ways and means, and government corporations and public enterprises.
2004-2010 – Served as senator for the third time, and eventually became the Senate president.
