Mike Enriquez ‘champion of the oppressed’ – Speaker Romualdez
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday joined the media industry – the broadcasting sector in particular – and other citizens in mourning the death of GMA-7 broadcaster Mike 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, head of the 311-member House of Representatives, said.
He added that Enriquez was a tireless media practitioner and 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.
Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, condoled with the loved ones of Enriquez.
“With a career spanning decades, Mike Enriquez’s dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has left an indelible mark on the industry,” Co said.
“Mike’s voice became synonymous with reliability and trustworthiness. He had a unique ability to connect with his audience, making complex issues understandable and relatable to people from all walks of life,” noted Co.
“Malaking kawalan sa Philippine Media ang paglisan ni Mike Enriquez. Nakikiramay ako sa mga naiwan niyang mahal sa buhay,” he said.
Co added that Enriquez “defended the voiceless. Mike Enriquez, one of our country’s foremost broadcasters, has passed on, but 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. The clarity and energy of his voice made his delivery become among the emulated exemplars in Philippine broadcasting,” Co said.
“Mike Enriquez gave all sides their time to say their piece, but he also did not let people ramble on with meaningless words shrewdly intended to silence contrary opinions. Mike Enriquez defended the voiceless and powerless using the power of his voice and journalism principles,” Co added.
Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph G. Recto said Enriquez did not only chronicle historic events but also annotated people’s daily lives.
“While we steamed inside our cars in unmoving traffic, he railed against a failed transportation system which has been at standstill for too long,” Recto said.
“While we cowered in fear as typhoon winds batter our homes, he joined us in prayer, called out for help, and directed it to where it is badly needed,” he said.
“When high prices ate people’s incomes, emptying their pockets and their pots, he demanded government action and compassion. 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. Paalam sa isang anghel sa ere na nagtanod sa bayang ito. Salamat sa limang dekadang pagbibigay ng balitang walang kinikilingan at pawang katotohahan,” he said.
Ang Probinsyano Rep. Alfred Delos Santos noted that “millions of Filipinos have been missing Mike Enriquez’s booming voice for months now. They will miss him even more now that he has passed on. That booming voice, which earned Mike Enriquez the nickname ‘Booma,’ was first heard over 50 years ago on radio. 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.”
Senior Citizen Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes also condoled with the family, colleagues and millions of followers of famed broadcaster and “fellow senior citizen” Mike Enriquez.
“Illness claimed his vibrant and accomplished life, but his legacy and his resounding voice 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,” Ordanes said.
