Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Friday clarified that his loyalty lies with the Constitution and the truth, not with the Duterte family.
Panelo said he would also criticize the Dutertes if they make mistakes despite his continued defense of the family and his son’s recent appointment as spokesperson of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Sino, kami? I’m not being loyal to the Dutertes, I’m loyal to the Constitution and to the truth. Pagka ang mga Duterte nagkamali, sigurado kasama yan sa mga babanatan ko,” Panelo said.
Panelo made the statement during an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s At The Forefront with Atty. Karen Jimeno.
He said he has defended the Dutertes because, based on his experience with them, he believes they have been doing the right thing.
“Pero hindi naman. Mula nung makilala ko yan, tama naman ang ginagawa nila,” Panelo said.
Panelo cited his own experience as an activist to explain his position as he recalled that he once criticized former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. but later continued defending him after believing that Marcos was being wrongfully treated.
“Eh diba, si Presidente Marcos Sr. noon, binanatan ko siya as an activist. Pero nung inapi naman siya, mali naman yung ginagawa ng grupo namin. Kaya umalis ako sa Mabini, na-expel ako sa Mabini,” he said.
“Pero tinuloy ko ang pagtatanggol ko sa kanila,” Panelo added.#