The Philippines: Return to the Fray

Less than a month after his ouster as Defense Minister, Juan Ponce Enrile quietly reentered the political arena last week. In his first public appearance since being sacked by President Corazon Aquino, Enrile spoke to members of the right-wing Nacionalista Party. He denounced Aquino’s cease-fire with the Communists and indicated that he opposed the new Constitution. Though Enrile turned down an offer to head the Nacionalista Party, he may lead a coalition of opposition groups in next May’s legislative elections.