Enrile takes oath as chief presidential legal counsel

Former senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday took his oath as chief presidential legal counsel under the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

According to the Office of the Press Secretary, Enrile was sworn into office by the Chief Executive.

"Buo ang tiwala ko sa kakayahan at karanasan ni Enrile bilang lingkod-bayan kaya naman umaasa ako na lalong mapabubuti ang pagbibigay ng legal assistance patungkol sa mga magiging aksyon ng ating administrasyon," Marcos said in a statement.

(I have full trust in Enrile's abilities and experience as a public servant, so I expect that the delivery of legal assistance on matters involving the administration's actions will continue to improve.)

Enrile, 98, backed Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte in the May elections.

Before going back to the government, Enrile had already spent 50 years there in a number of capacities. When Marcos' father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., declared martial law throughout the nation in September 1972, he served as defense minister.

The former lawmaker, however, played a key role in the 1986 EDSA Revolution that resulted in the ousting of the elder Marcos.

Enrile and the President were part of the Senate from 2010 to 2016.

In a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, Enrile thanked Marcos Jr. for the appointment.

"No doubt, this will be my last public service to the country and the Filipino people. As before, I have no other boss except the President. And my only guide in performing my duty will be my oath of office. May God help me in my new task," he said. —VBL/BM, GMA News