Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the main architects of martial law in 1972 who later became one of the key persons to topple the Marcos dictatorship only to serve as presidential legal adviser of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., passed away at 101 years old Thursday afternoon.

In her Facebook account, Katrina Ponce Enrile said: ''It is with profound love and gratitude that my father, Juan Ponce Enrile, peacefully returned to his Creator... at 4:21 pm.''

''He dedicated much of his life to the service of the Filipino people,'' she added.

The Department of National Defense (DND), which Enrile headed for 14 years said he was ''an icon in defense policy and strategy, and played a foundational role in building the modern Department of National Defense.''

The DND summed up Enrile's life, saying '' his long and storied career in public service marked profound changes in our country's history.''

Enrile was Presidential Legal Adviser at the time of his death, capping around 60 years of government service as cabinet member during the first Marcos administration and a four-time Senate president.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada revealed on Monday that Enrile was brought to a hospital where he was placed at its ICU. Later in the day, Katrina confirmed that her father was battling pneumonia.

Enrile joined the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr, first as customs commissioner and undersecretary of finance in 1966, and then as justice secretary from 1968 to 1970. He was tapped to head the defense department from 1972 to November 1986.

Enrile helped craft martial law and oversaw its implementation on September 1972. In February 1986, he and Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos bolted the Marcos administration but it was Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin who provided that vital push to urge thousands of Filipinos to assemble at Edsa calling for the ouster of Marcos.

The Marcos family and close associates fled the country until to return six years later.

Accused of allegedly leading a coup against President Corazon Aquino, he was removed as defense secretary in November 1986. Thus began a long career as a member of the Senate and the House of Representatives, where he displayed his thorough legal knowledge and sharp questioning during hearings. DMS