On July 25, a Philippines court ordered the suspension of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is facing graft and plunder charges, for 90 days. Enrile, who is fighting the charges, has turned to litigator Estelito Mendoza—who at 84 remains the defense lawyer of choice for members of the Filipino elite facing corruption charges.
Like many of his clients, Mendoza has roots that stretch back to the administration of late President Ferdinand Marcos. As solicitor general, he won a 1972 Supreme Court case that gave legal standing to martial law in the Philippines for 10 years. For many observers, that legacy has made Mendoza about as popular as his clients.
