Palace document designating Panelo as Duterte’s new spokesperson

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo's appointment as President Rodrigo Duterte's new spokesperson is "effective immediately," according to a Palace document released to the media on Friday.

Signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on October 11, Thursday, the memorandum said Panelo's latest designation was "in compliance with the instruction of the President and to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of public service."

LOOK: Palace memorandum designating Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo as President Duterte’s new spokesperson. The memo says the designation is “effective immediately.” | via @virgillopez pic.twitter.com/NzLEVw163F

— GMA News (@gmanews) October 12, 2018

Panelo replaced lawyer Harry Roque, who is set to return to the country from China on Monday, October 15, as Duterte wants to talk to him over his political plans. Roque remains undecided of a senatorial run in the May 2019 elections.

At a hastily arranged news conference in the presidential palace on Friday, Panelo said he will both serve as spokesperson and presidential legal counsel at the moment.

Panelo said he was informed by Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go about his new role in the administration on Wednesday evening when they were in Bali, Indonesia where Duterte attended the ASEAN Leaders' Gathering.

"That was it," Panelo said. "I was waiting for a written memorandum and my staff sent me one."

Asked if his appointment meant Roque had already resigned from his post, Panelo said he has no personal knowledge of it.

"What I know is, when I was asking him sometime [ago], he really wants to be a senator," Panelo said.

All appointive officials who have filed their certificates of candidacy are deemed resigned in line with a Supreme Court decision in 2010. The filing of candidacy papers started on October 11 and will end on October 17. — RSJ, GMA News