Juan Ponce Enrile
Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino
SENATE PRESIDENT JUAN PONCE ENRILE
Fifteenth Congress
Upon the opening of the Fifteenth Congress on 26 July 2010, the honorable JUAN PONCE
ENRILE was elected unanimously by his peers to the third highest position in the country, the Senate
Presidency, a position he is now serving for the second time. He is now on his fourth term as Senator.
Juan Ponce Enrile earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1953. He
graduated cum laude and salutatorian. He took his oath as a member of the Philippine Bar in 1954. He
ranked No. 11 among the successful bar candidates with a rating of 91.72%, one of the highest in the
history of the Bar. He made a perfect score of 100% in Commercial Law. He took post-graduate studies
at the Harvard Law School where he obtained his Master of Laws degree in 1955, specializing in
taxation and corporate reorganization.
He practised law for twelve years from 1954 to 1966 as a law partner at the Ponce Enrile, Siguion
Reyna, Montecillo, Belo and Ongsiako Law Offices. He also served as a Professor of Law at the Far
Eastern University - College of Law from 1956 to 1964.
In January 1966, the young s career in the public service which would last for more than four
decades. Recognized for his expertise in tax matters, he was appointed Undersecretary of Finance at the
beginning of 1966. Shortly thereafter, he was made Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Philippine National Bank. Then he was designated as a concurrent Acting Head of the Insurance
Commission. As such, he revised many of the rules and regulations in the Insurance Commission with
the end in view of making the industry more transparent and stable. As proof of its relevance, many of
these rules and regulations issued during his incumbency are still included in the current Insurance
Code. He also served as Acting Commissioner of Customs until December 1968. While he was in the
Finance Department, he was appointed Acting Secretary of Finance and concurrent Chairman of the
Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines.
In December 1968, in recognition of his integrity and reputation held before the Philippine Bar, of
Justice where he served until February 9, 1970.
On February 10, 1970, he was appointed Secretary of National Defense until August 1971 when he
resigned to run for the Philippine Senate. He was re-appointed Secretary of Defense in January 1972.
In 1986, he led the historic EDSA People Power Revolution that served as model for subsequent
bloodless revolutions all over the world. Together with idealistic members of the military and with the
support of the Catholic church, people flocked to EDSA in solidarity to the man and his vision of
restoring democracy to the nation.
His first term in the Philippine Senate was from 1987 to 1992, during which he served as the lone
Minority in the Senate. His second term was from 1995 to 2001, during which he was designated as
Chairman of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Government Corporations and Public
Enterprises. He also served in the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995.
In the legislature, Senator Enrile focused his efforts at refining fiscal measures to make sure that the
government's need for revenue is balanced with the protection of the masses from undue tax burdens.
He was the author of Republic Act No. 8424 also known as the Comprehensive Tax Reform Law,
which exempted Overseas Contract Workers from paying income taxes in the Philippines on their
income earned abroad. In the same law, his recommendation that homeowners be exempted from the
payment of capital gains provided they invest the proceeds from the sale of their homes in buying or
constructing other homes for themselves was also approved. He also sponsored the provision in the law
exempting all Filipinos residing abroad from the payment of Philippine income tax on their income
earned abroad. In the previous Tax Code, the same income was taxed in the Philippines even if it had
already been subjected to tax in the foreign jurisdiction.
One of the Senator's advocacies involved a review of the performance of the power sector. Senator
that there was a need to refine the process of computing electrical charges to make the industry more
efficient and to help households from being charged with inordinately high electric bills. For this
reason, the Senator was very vocal in his criticism of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. When
the bill was submitted for voting, he cast the lone dissenting vote on the grounds, among others, that
the EPIRA law, which institutionalized the imposition of the Purchase Power Adjustment (PPA), would
subject the ordinary users to unnecessary increase in rates.
Cognizant of the Constitution's prohibition against the formation of monopolies, Senator Bill as a
means to discourage the formation of cartels and to curb the manipulation of the prices of basic
commodities. Also, recognizing the need for security and the protection of civilians in the aftermath of
the September 11-tragedy, the Senator filed the Anti-Terrorism Bill. His Senate term ended in 2001.
In 2004, inspired by the people's confidence in him, he sought to run for senator once again and,
with an overwhelming vote, he was elected to the 13th Congress. He immediately resumed pursuing his
major advocacies for consumer protection and reforms in the electric industry, as well as in our revenue
system. Among the first bills he introduced were: the Anti-Trust Bill, Amendments to the Electric
Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), increasing the tax exemptions of individual tax payers and other
revenue-related measures. "
He was active in plenary debates and was constantly vigilant over vital pieces of legislation taken
up on the Floor, such as the Sin Taxes (RA 9334), Expanded Value Added Tax or EVAT (RA 9337), A
9367), Amendments to the Automated Elections System (RA 9369), and the General Appropriations
Act, among others. Rarely was a bill passed into law without being scrutinized and examined by
Senator Enrile.
To fulfill his campaign promise "or Enrile meticulously studied and filed a bill proposing major
amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). Since he cast the lone negative vote
against EPIRA in 2001, he wanted to pursue his advocacy for the protection of electric power
consumers against unjust and unreasonable power rates. He was eventually designated as Sub
Committee Chair of the Committee Energy to facilitate committee consideration of the amendments to
EPIRA.
One of the most important pieces of legislation acted on by Congress was the Anti-Terrorism Bill.
Having filed the original bill in 1995, and having been the Defense Minister for many years, Senator
ver the sponsorship of the measure on May 22, 2006. After going through long and tedious
deliberation, this measure was later signed into law as the Human Security Act of 2007.
Faithful to his vow to expose and oppose any program or measure that he believes to be inimical to
national interest, he delivered speeches inquiring into the status of the tax credit scam, on the
anomalous banking transactions of the Standard Chartered Bank, and on the present state of the
insurance industry, which became the bases for investigations conducted by the appropriate Senate
committees. Furthermore, as a member of the Committee on Government Corporations and Public
Enterprises, he participated in the inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the anomalies that have been taking
place in ings Corporation.
Senator p of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights following the re-organization of the
Senate when the Third Regular Session began. Without fail, and characteristic of his dynamic and proactive disposition, Senator Enrile immediately conducted committee work and facilitated the passage of
these measures: 1) An Act Strengthening the Office of the Solicitor General(R.A. No. 9417); 2) An Act
Reorganizing and Strengthening the Public Attorney's Office(R.A. No. 9406) ; and, 3) numerous
corresponding bills for creating additional branches of trial courts in various areas nationwide. Other
measures that were subjected to committee consideration includes: An Act Defining as a Crime the Act
of Driving any Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of Alcoholic Beverages and/or Prohibited
Drugs; An Act Providing for the Payment of Survivorship Benefits to the Spouse of a Deceased or
Retired Justice of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals; An Act Adopting a Salary Schedule for the
Members of the Bench and other Lawyers in the Judiciary; and, An Act Providing for the Retirement
Benefits of the Judiciary.
Also in the Thirteenth Congress, Senator Chairman of the Committees on National Defense and
Security, and Banks, Currencies and Financial Institutions and a member of 15 other standing
committees including Foreign Relations, Blue Ribbon, Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes
and Laws, Public Order and Illegal Drugs, among others. He was also the Chairman of the Committee
on Finance of the Commission on Appointments.
In the Fourteenth Congress, Senator of the Committee on Finance, during which he shepherded the
timely passage of the annual general appropriations act.
Backed by the support and trust of his peers in the chamber, Senator Enrile as the Senate President
on 17 November 2008. In all humility, he accepted the responsibility entrusted to him, saying that “To
lead the Senate with its great minds, strong advocacies, varying and independent political beliefs and
leanings, is not an easy task. But it is precisely this variance in points of view and the battle of great
ideas that provide the dynamism we need to craft legislation that takes into account and balances the
competing interests involved – with the end in view of serving the greater good of the people to whom
we owe our mandate.”
Under his leadership, the Senate passed vital pieces of legislation such as the CARP Extension,
Anti-Torture Act, Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, National Heritage
Conservation Act, Real Estate Investment Act, among many others. Institutional reforms were also
implemented within the Senate to improve the daily conduct of business by the institution, as well as
improve the welfare of its officers and employees.
Also under him, the Senate also collaborated with the House of Representatives on two crucial
issues which are now considered historical milestones. First was in December 2009 to take up
Proclamation No. 1959 of the previous administration, declaring a state of martial law and suspending
the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, while the second occasion was in May 2010,
when Congress convened to constitute itself as the national canvassing board to canvass the votes for
president and vice president, and thereafter proclaim the winners.
Now on his fourth term in the Senate, Senate President s to “discharge my duties and
responsibilities with honor, with total devotion to our institution, and with fairness to all members. No
partisan consideration will blur or color the treatment of any member of the Senate. We are all Senators
elected by the people to serve them with dedication to their interest and well-being and devotion to our
responsibilities.” Furthermore, in his acceptance speech, he enjoined his colleagues to “uphold the
independence and integrity of this Senate, without abandoning our duty to cooperate with the other
departments of the government to achieve what is good for our people.”
With those words and by his example, Senator Juan Ponce ed the wavering faith and hope of the
people in the country’s legislature.
PERSONAL
Place of Birth:
Date of Birth
Spouse:
Children:
EDUCATION
Gonzaga, Cagayan
February 14, 1924
Cristina Castañer
Juan, Jr. and Katrina
Master of Law Specialized Training in
International Tax
Harvard Law School
Boston, U.S.A., 1955
Awardee
Harvard Law School
Scholarship Award
Bachelor of Laws
Cum Laude and Salutatorian
University of the Philippines
No. 11, 1953 Bar Examinations with a 91.72% Class 1953
rating and a perfect score in Commercial Law
Associate in Arts
Cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Partner
Ateneo de Manila
Class 1949
: Ponce Enrile Reyes and Manalastas Law Office
: Ponce Enrile Siguion Reyna
Montecillo and Belo Law Office
1953-1966
Professor of Law
: Far Eastern University
1955-1962
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
 Philippine Constitutional Association
 Philippine Tax Institute
 Integrated Bar of the Philippines
 International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
 Knights of Rizal
 Philippine Jaycees Senate
 Harvard Club of the Philippines
 Manila Overseas Press Club
POLITICAL AFFILIATION
Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)
Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP)
PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS
Chairman
 "A Proposal on Capital Gains Tax"
 "Income Tax Treatment of Corporate Merger and Consolidation"
 "Where There's a Will"
AWARDS
People of the Year Award 2010
(Government Service)
: January 10, 2011
Philippine Legion of Honor Degree
: November 27, 1986
of Commander with Bronze Anahaw Leaf
Mahaputra Adipranada
Republic of Indonesia
: March 11, 1975
Philippine Legion of Honor
: December 12, 1974
Degree of Commander
DOCTOR OF LAWS, HONORIS CAUSA
University of Manila
: March 25, 1981
Manila Law College
: April 6, 1975
University of Southern Philippines : April 7, 1973
DOCTOR OF HUMANITIES, HONORIS CAUSA
St. Paul University of Cagayan Valley : January 30, 1982
GOVERNMENT POSITIONS
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
15th Congress
Re-elected President of the Philippine Senate, by 17 senators on July 26, 2010
14th Congress
26th President of the Philippine Senate, elected by 13 senators on November 17, 2008
: Committee on Finance
Chairman1
Committee on Public Services
Vice Chairman2
: Committee on Banks
Committee on Ways and Means3
Membership
Committee on Accountability of Public Officers
and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)
Committee on Accounts
Committee on Agrarian Reform
Committee on Agriculture and Food
Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision
of Codes and Laws
Committee on Economic Affairs
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
Committee on Energy Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises
Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Committee on Local Government
Committee on National Defense and Security
Committee on Peace Unification and Reconciliation
Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs
Committee on Rules
Committee on Science and Technology
Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development
Committee on Trade and Commerce
Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement
Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations
Commission on Appointments
Powercom
LOVFA
13th Congress
Senator
Member
: Senate of the Philippines
2004-2010
Committee on Accountability of Public Officers
and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)
Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies
Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Committee on Economic Affairs
Committee on Education, Arts and Culture
Committee on Energy
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Committee on Finance
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises
Committee on Justice and Human Rights
Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources
Committee on Local Government
Committee on National Defense and Security
Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs
Committee on Public Services
Committee on Rules
Committee on Ways and Means
Commission on Appointments
11th Congress
Senator
: Senate of the Philippines
1995-2001
Chairman
Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises
Committee on Ways and Means
Vice Chairman
Committee on Finance
Committee on Public Services
Committee on Accountability of Public Officers
and Investigations (Blue Ribbon)
10th Congress
Assistant Minority
Floor Leader
Chairman
: 1998
: 1995-1998
Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises
Committee on Ways and Means
9th Congress
Representative
1st District of Cagayan
8th Congress
Senator
: House of Representatives
Congress of the Philippines
1992-1995
: Senate of the Philippines
1987-1992
Senate Minority Floor Leader
Minority Floor Leader, Commission on Appointments
Member, Senate Electoral Tribunal
Member, All Senate standing Committees
Assemblyman
Cagayan
: Batasang Pambansa Cagayan
1984-1986
Assemblyman
: Interim Batasang Pambansa
Cagayan Valley (Region II) 1978-1984
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Minister/Secretary
: Ministry/Department of National Defense
1970-1986
Secretary and Concurrently
Chairman, Board of Pardons and Parole
Chairman, Anti-Dummy Board
Chairman, Peace and Order Council
: Department of Justice
1968-1970
Undersecretary and Acting Secretary and Concurrently
Acting Insurance Commissioner,
: Department of Finance
Commissioner of Customs
1966-1968
Acting Chairman, Monetary Board
Central Bank of the Philippines
CHAIRMANSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE CORPORATIONS
Chairman
Philippine National Bank
National Investment Development Corp.
Phil. Coconut Authority
United Coconut Planters Bank
Philcomsat Corporation
National Police Comm.
: 1968-1978
: 1968-1978
: 1975-1978
: 1973-1976
Member of the Board
Cultural Center of the Phils.
: 1969-1986
National Economic Development Authority : 1972-1986
Young Artist Foundation of the Philippines : 1973-1986
Philippine National Oil Co.
Philippine Maritime Authority
Fisheries Industry Development Council
Energy Development Board
Phil. Pilgrimage Authority
National Environment Protection Council
Phil. Crop Insurance Corp.
Manila Transit Corp.
Wood Industry Development Authority
Philippine Aerospace Development Corp.
______________________
1 From August 6, 2008 to Nov. 18, 2008
2 From August 29, 2007 to Nov. 18, 2008
3 From August 14, 2007 to Nov. 18, 2008
As of February 1, 2011
: 1973-1986
: 1974-1986
: 1975-1986
: 1976-1986
: 1978-1986
: 1979-1986
: 1980-1986
: 1984-1986
: 1985-1986