NAGKAISA ang mga senador sa pagbibigay-pugay kay dating Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile—isang huwarang lider na inalala nina Senador Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, at Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan bilang simbolo ng talino, disiplina, at malasakit sa kapwa.

“With great sorrow, we would like to inform everyone that our beloved colleague, mentor, and friend, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has joined our Creator this afternoon,” pahayag ni Sotto. “He has dedicated his whole life, even until his last days, to public service. We will remember him for his formidable intellect and his compassion for the people especially to the employees of the Senate.”

“As we mourn his passing, we find comfort in knowing that the legacy of Manong Johnny will live on, etched within the walls of the Senate and his service to the nation will forever be in the hearts of many Filipinos,” dagdag pa niya.

Sa necrological service, inilarawan ni Estrada si Enrile bilang “a towering political figure, a loyal friend, and family in every sense of the word.” Binalikan niya ang mga salita ni Enrile: “That’s longevity, not immortality,” at sinabing ito’y paalala ng kababaang-loob sa kabila ng mahabang karera sa serbisyo.

“Beyond the memes that attempted to parody the long, storied life of one of the most consequential political figures in recent history is a man who was, in truth, larger than life,” wika ni Estrada. “I am fortunate not only to have worked alongside him… but to have been mentored by him and given the rare chance to know him up close.”

Inalala rin ni Estrada kung paano tumindig si Enrile sa tabi ng kanyang ama, dating Pangulong Joseph Ejercito Estrada. “He repaid my father’s kindness many times over,” aniya. “And when it was our turn to face arrest and detention, he stood by us. Walang iwanan.”

“Tutulong ako kung ano ang kaya ko para sa ating bansa, huwag niyo lang ako palayuin kay Erap. Mas kailangan niya ako ngayon,” ang mga salitang tagos sa puso ni Jinggoy mula kay Manong Johnny.

Ibinahagi rin ni Estrada ang mas magaan na alaala—ang hilig ni Enrile sa isda at gulay, sa pagbabasa, at sa paglalaro ng “Bejeweled.” “Even while the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was lividly attacking him on the Senate floor… enjoy na enjoy siya,” aniya na may halong tawa.

Ipinaalala rin niya ang payo ni Enrile: “The Senate is not an institution for learning… but a constitutional body tasked with making weighty political and legal decisions.”

Para kay Escudero, mananatiling inspirasyon ang walang humpay na paglilingkod ni Enrile. “Until his final days, Juan Ponce Enrile served in government as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, a testament to his unwavering dedication to our country and people,” wika ni Escudero. “To us who were then new in the chamber, he was like a father, instilling the values of discipline and service.”

“With his passing, the nation has lost a true son of the Republic. Manong Johnny, rest in peace,” dagdag pa ni Escudero.

Samantala, inalala ni Senador Ping Lacson ang panahon ng kanilang pagtutulungan sa 14th Congress. “When you became our Senate President and I observed how you cared for the Senate employees… you were right, Sir. They were really good.”

“Manong Johnny did not simply pass through history. He walked alongside it, making sure that he stood at its center, witnessing every halt and turn, leaving a mark in every stride,” ani Lacson.

Nagpahayag din ng pakikiramay si Senador Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, na binigyang-diin ang biblikal na paalala mula sa Aklat ng Eclesiastes: “Ang lahat sa mundong ito ay may kanya-kanyang panahon, may kanya-kanyang oras. Ang panahon ng pagsilang at panahon ng pagkamatay…”

“Taos-pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga kaibigan ng yumaong dating Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,” ani Pangilinan. “Nawa’y matagpuan ng mga mahal sa buhay ni JPE—kanyang may bahay na si Cristina, kanyang mga anak na sina Katrina at Jack, at buong kamag-anakan—ang kapanatagan at lakas ng loob sa panahong ito ng pagdadalamhati. Rest in peace, Manong Johnny.”

Pinag-isa ng mga pahayag nina Estrada, Sotto, Escudero, Lacson, at Pangilinan ang mga tinig ng Senado—isang sabayang pagpupugay sa lider na hindi lamang lumakad sa kasaysayan, kundi naging bahagi ng mismong kwento nito.