Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined government leaders in mourning the passing of veteran lawyer Estelito “Titong” Mendoza, who secured her legal victory in a plunder case. Mendoza died Wednesday at age 95.

The former Solicitor General and Philippine National Bank director represented high-profile clients, including Arroyo and former President Joseph Estrada.

He served as Arroyo’s lead counsel in her P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) plunder case, which the Supreme Court dismissed in July 2016.

“Tatang Titong proved the prosecution presented no evidence linking PCSO funds to me,” Arroyo recalled, calling him a “legal eagle” to whom she remained “eternally grateful.”

‘His legacy of legal excellence and nation service will inspire future generations.’

She also credited Mendoza with shaping the Philippines’ baseline policy and South China Sea stance during her presidency.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Mendoza’s Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity brother, called his death a “significant loss,” praising his integrity and international legal work, including chairing the UN General Assembly’s Legal Committee in 1976.

Remarkably, the 95-year-old Mendoza recently represented Vice President Sara Duterte in a Supreme Court case regarding her office’s P125 million 2022 confidential funds.

His notable cases included defending former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Bong Revilla in their pork barrel scam trials where both were acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in 2021 and 2024, respectively.

“His legacy of legal excellence and nation service will inspire future generations,” Romualdez said.