Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo called for the abolition of the Philippine Truth and Reconciliation Commission as he described it as a “propaganda tool” aimed at besmirching the reputations of former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte who could not defend themselves.
Panelo made the statement during an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s At The Forefront with lawyer Karen Jimeno.
Chaired by former International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Raul Pangalangan, the commission was established to look into alleged extrajudicial killings and other issues arising from the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Asked how the commission could improve its work, Panelo called for its abolition.
“Abolish it because talagang propaganda tool yan. Kahit ano pang excuses nila, propaganda yan. File mo ang kaso,” Panelo said.
Asked to assess the commission as an independent, civilian-led platform, Panelo said its proceedings could be used against the Duterte father and daughter, whom he said have limited opportunities to respond.
Panelo questioned why alleged victims would need a public platform to tell their stories if there was sufficient evidence to support criminal complaints.
“If you have evidence, why don’t you file? Why do you have to use a platform para siraan ninyo yung mag-ama, si VP Sara at saka si Presidente Duterte?” he said.
Panelo said the commission’s proceedings amount to propaganda because the former president is detained and the Vice President is facing impeachment proceedings.
“Wala nang pagkakataon na pumunta diyan para magpaliwanag. Yung isa nakakulong. Yung isa ini-impeach ninyo. Talagang nagpupropaganda lang kayo,” he said.
Asked what he believed was the commission’s purpose in conducting public hearings, Panelo said it was to damage the reputations of the two Duterte officials.
“Ganun din, to besmirch the reputation and character of the Vice President as well as the former President. Wala namang iba,” he said.
Panelo also questioned whether the commission had political backing, saying he did not know who funded it but claimed that groups opposed to the Dutertes were effectively working against them.
He described these groups as “strange bedfellows” and alleged that they were acting as conspirators, although he acknowledged that they may not be consciously coordinating with one another.
Pangalangan has said the commission’s purpose is not prosecutorial but to provide alleged victims an avenue to tell their stories and be heard.
He has also said that facts uncovered during the proceedings that may be useful to the government or international organizations could be referred to the appropriate offices.
But Panelo rejected this justification, saying those who have evidence of wrongdoing should file cases before the proper authorities.
“The proper forum is the Office of the Prosecutor. They will find probable cause if there is one and then file it and let the court decide,” he said.
Addressing Pangalangan, Panelo added: “Raul, abogado ka naman. Tulungan mo. Help them prosecute the case. Baka tulungan din kita kung gusto mo.”#