Palace hails JPE's effort to make Senate independent

With the announcement of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to relinquish his position, Malacanang lauded the veteran senator for striving to live up to the Senate tradition of being an independent branch of government.

In a statement released late Wednesday afternoon by the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS), it said: "For 1,661 days, or four years, six months, and 19 days, Juan Ponce Enrile served as President of the Senate, the third-highest position in the Republic. Today, he irrevocably relinquished that position. We respect his decision."

Throughout his senate presidency, the OPS statement said, "Senator Enrile on the whole, supported the enactment of the Aquino administration's priority bills."

"Conscious of the long and distinguished history of the Senate and the office he held, Senator Enrile approached the Constitution functions of the Senate in our bicameral legislative system with the utmost seriousness. He strove to live up to the Senate's tradition of independence and oversight," it said.

"As one of the veteran members of the Senate, his voice, views, and expertise in the legislative process will continue to contribute to the crafting of laws and the deliberations of the Upper House," it added.

Enrile, at the last day of session of the 15th Congress, announced his irrevocable resignation as Senate President.

"As a matter of personal honor and dignity, I hereby irrevocably resign as Senate President," said Enrile in his emotional privilege speech.

"Old age may have physically impaired my vision. But let me assure all of you: I can still see and read clearly the handwriting on the wall. I need not be told by anyone when it is time for me to go," he said. (PNA)