(Photo from GMA Integrated News)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday paid tribute to veteran broadcaster and host Mike Enriquez who passed away on Tuesday, commending the late newscaster’s dedication to serving the Filipino people through his “unbiased” delivery of news.
On his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Marcos extended his condolences to Enriquez’s family and loved ones.
“We are saddened by (the) news of the passing of veteran anchor Mike Enriquez, a pillar in our broadcasting industry. He dedicated his life to delivering unbiased news to the Filipino people,” he said.
“Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this time.”
Communication Secretary Cheloy Garafil, a former journalist, also condoled with Enriquez’s family.
Garafil said Enriquez would be remembered for his contribution to shaping the landscape of unbiased journalism in the Philippines.
“Tayo ay nakikiramay sa pamilya at mga kaanak na naiwan ng ating kaibigan sa media na si Mike Enriquez (Our condolences to the family and relatives left behind by our media friend Mike Enriquez),” she said.
“Si Mike ay isa sa mga mamamahayag na ating itinuturing na kasangga sa paghahatid ng tapat at walang-kinikilingang balita. Tunay na ang kanyang kontribusyon sa larangan ng pagbabalita ay hindi matatawaran (Mike is one of the journalists we consider to be our partner in delivering honest and unbiased news. Indeed, his contribution to the field of journalism is immeasurable).”
Broadcasting giant
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday joined the media industry - the broadcasting sector in particular - and other citizens in mourning the death of Enriquez.
“The industry and media network GMA-7 have just lost a broadcasting giant. The death of Mike Enriquez has left a void in the industry and in his beloved network his colleagues would struggle to fill. His absence will be felt for a long time,” Romualdez said in a press statement.
He said Enriquez was a tireless media practitioner, an anti-corruption, anti-abuse and anti-wrongdoing crusader.
“He was a champion of the oppressed, the abused. His docudrama 'Imbestigador' was his vehicle for exposing corruption and mischief. His now famous punchline 'Hindi kita tatantanan!' sent an ominous warning to wayward and abusive public officials, policemen, other public servants, and other citizens with influence,” he said.
“I and my colleagues in the House extend our sincerest condolences to Mr. Enriquez’s family, loved ones, his media colleagues, and those who loved him. Our prayers and thoughts are with them at this most difficult time,” Romualdez said.
Several lawmakers also honored Enriquez in separate statements.
Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph G. Recto said Mike Enriquez did not only chronicle historic events, “but also annotated our daily lives.”
“His delivery of news and opinions on matters that hurt the people, in his trademark staccato fashion, was like the rapid-fire demolition of excuses and alibis of the guilty. He was an old school journalist who was fair in reportage and fearless in his opinions with facts, and not fake news, as his basis and guide,” he said.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co said while Enriquez has passed on, “his voice will continue to resound in our memories.”
“He served the country and the broadcast industry well, earning the respect of Filipinos and major awards along the way. Mike Enriquez defended the voiceless and powerless using the power of his voice and journalism principles,” the chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee said.
House Deputy Majority Leader and Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred C. Delos Santos said millions of Filipinos who have been missing Enriquez’s booming voice for months now “will miss him even more now that he has passed on.”
“Mike Enriquez was a champion of the poor and ordinary people without voices in society. Thanks to the internet, videos carrying Mike Enriquez’s voice will continue to be heard by future generations of Filipinos in the country and around the world,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes who said the legacy and resounding voice of the broadcasting giant “will reverberate in our memories, through history, and on the internet.”
“Thanks to the internet videos of the newscasts he anchored and public affairs programs he hosted, future generations will still hear his booming voice and the astute journalist’s mind behind that voice,” he said.
Ang Pinuno Party-list Rep. Howard Guintu said Enriquez was “a household name with a voice that was larger than life.”
“For many, his voice was synonymous with trustworthy news, and though we would no longer hear his iconic voice over the airwaves, his legacy as a broadcast journalist will live on and forever be immortalized in the annals of Philippine journalism,” he said. (with reports from Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
Enriquez’s home network, GMA Network, announced his passing with a tribute at the end of its late evening 24 Oras newscast.
Enriquez was one of the anchors of GMA’s flagship newscast “24 Oras” and hosted the long-running public affairs program “Imbestigador.”
He also served as president of RGMA Network, Inc. and was senior vice president and consultant for radio operations.
He likewise anchored DZBB’s “Super Balita sa Umaga” and “Saksi sa Dobol B” programs.
Enriquez joined the broadcast industry in 1969. He became part of the GMA Network in 1995. (PNA)
