Panelo out as Duterte's spokesman, gets new assignment

Lawyer Salvador Panelo will no longer be President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman, his successor announced on Wednesday night as shown in the Facebook Live post of GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez.

Panelo, whose designation as the incoming president's spokesman drew flak from media organization citing his past association as defense counsel of the principal accused in the infamous Ampatuan massacre, will be given a new Malacañang portfolio the chief presidential legal counsel.

The development was announced by newly designated spokesman, Ernie Abella as he emerged from the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where Duterte met his official family.

“Mr. Panelo will be his chief legal counsel,” Abella said.

Incoming Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed the announcement as he clarified that like Aquino administration, the incoming regime will not have a press secretary.

"Apparently, it has been the plan since day one," Andanar said of Panelo's new appointment.

Duterte on May 24 said that Panelo's position as presidential spokesperson is just temporary. 

Panelo would remain in the job, Duterte said, until he is able to find a spokesman who could do the work as well.

“It has to be somebody who is articulate. Somebody who has a working knowledge of at least the government. We do not expect him to be a lawyer like [Marcos-era information minister Francisco] Tatad noon. But somebody who can explain to the public what is on the mind of the president and articulate him before the public,” he then said.

Abella was only introduced on Monday night when he announced Duterte’s new appointees. He met with the press in Davao City the following day and expressed that as a spokesperson he serves as a conduit between Duterte, the people, and the press.

Amid Duterte's decision to stop holding press briefings and media interviews "until the end of my term", Abella in his meet-and-greet with the press told them that he wants to start a “conversation based on a cordial relationship.” — APG/BAP, GMA News