Enrile advises Jinggoy to ‘stay strong’

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile turned 90 on Valentine’s Day. Photo courtesy of PCIJ.

Former senate president and veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile advised Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to “stay strong” amid the controversies being hurled at them because of their alleged involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam, especially with the recent appearance of Ruby Tuason, who supported the claims of whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Enrile gave his advise during his 90th birthday celebration with family and friends Thursday, one day before his birthday, which is also Valentine’s Day.

“Stay strong, he said. He said he was already going home [but] I was just on my way up,” Estrada shared with reporters on Saturday’s press briefing.

“He said he had experienced triumphs [and] failures, and he told me I [was] still on my way there, that’s why I had to be strong,” Estrada  continued.

Jinggoy said his father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, also gave advice to Enrile on his birthday.

“You can never put a good man down. He’s the best lawyer the Senate ever had,” Mayor Estrada said according to his son Jinggoy.

Enrile’s 90th birthday party was a simple dinner with family and friends who serenaded him as a gift. According to the younger Estrada, Enrile felt like it was his despedida party.

“I told him, ‘No, no, no. Of course, not,’” Jinggoy said.

Dinner guests included Vice President Jejomar Binay, Mrs. Cristina Enrile, JPE’s daughter Katrina, and even Armida Siguion-Reyna and her sister Irma Potenciano.

With report from Norman Bordadora, Philippine Daily Inquirer