ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES – President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr appointed as his authorized counsel the identical man who, as defence minister over 36 years in the past, helped hatch a coup that compelled his father – the Philippines’ autocratic president from 1965 to 1986 – to flee the nation in disgrace.
Juan Ponce Enrile “reaffirmed his dedication to serve the nation and make sure the success of the incoming Marcos administration”, Marcos Jr’s spokesman Trixie Angeles informed reporters on Friday.
Angeles stated Enrile, 98, launched a press release saying: “I’ll dedicate my time and data for the republic and for Marcos Jr as a result of I would like him to succeed.”
Enrile was defence minister and had been a loyal enforcer for then president Ferdinand Marcos earlier than he linked up with police chief Fidel Ramos to plot a coup in 1986, shortly after the 1985 elections that many believed the dictator rigged to thwart a problem mounted by pro-democracy icon Corazon Aquino. Allegations of election fraud later fuelled large protests within the capital Manila. On February 22, 1986, Enrile and Ramos introduced in a information convention that they have been breaking away from Marcos, and known as on him to step down.
The 2 and tons of of safety forces nonetheless loyal to them then barricaded themselves contained in the navy’s sprawling camp in Manila, as they sought to rally extra navy models to their aspect.
Enrile is rejoining the federal government after a full-throated endorsement of Marcos Jr within the just-concluded elections.
His assertion that there have been no human rights abuses throughout martial rule, from 1972 to 1983, performed into Marcos Jr’s narrative that his father’s reign, although harsh, had been benevolent and affluent for the Philippines.
Enrile’s appointment as presidential authorized counsel got here together with an announcement that Marcos Jr named former navy chief Jose Faustino as his defence minister.
Marcos Jr, who is because of be sworn in as president on June 30, has but to appoint his international affairs minister.
