Panelo to Demetriou: Releasing inmates not my turf

Presidential spokesperson and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday denied retired judge Harriet Demetriou's allegation that he had a hand in the possible release of his former client, convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez.

"It is unfortunate that she is expressing an opinion on the basis of speculation," Panelo told GMA News Online in a text message.

"When the President asked for my opinion as whether or not Sanchez was covered by the benefit granted to inmates under R.A. 10592, I categorically stated that by express provision of the law, Sanchez and those similarly situated, meaning inmates charged and convicted of heinous crimes as well as those recidivists, habitual  delinquents, and escapists, are excluded from the the coverage of the law," he said.

Panelo also said as much in a statement he issued last week.

Panelo was one of Sanchez's defense lawyers when the latter was on trial for the 1993 rape and murder of Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her friend and fellow University of the Philippines Los Baños student Allan Gomez.

Sanchez, former mayor of Calauan, Laguna, was sentenced by Demetriou in 1995 to seven terms of reclusion perpetua. He has been jailed in the New Bilibid Prison for more than two decades.

Demetriou on Wednesday said that Panelo should resign, accusing him of being loyal to his former client and betraying his oath of office.

"Siya ang presidential legal counsel ni Presidente, why did he not put a stop to this when in fact he is supposed to know what is the coverage of the law?" she said.

Malacañang's spokesperson said he will not heed Demetriou's suggestion.

"Judge Demetriou's call for me to resign is silly, if not absurd. I serve at the pleasure of the President, and as his alter ego, I will not be distraught nor derailed by any unfounded remark raised against me," he said.

Panelo stressed that he has nothing to do with the release of inmates.

"My office has nothing to do with the release of qualified inmates. That is the turf and the responsibility of the Department of Justice and the concerned offices under it," he said.

"I do not intrude nor poke my finger into any matter that is not within the mandate of my office," he added.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had earlier said that he finds no reason to believe that Panelo has any involvement in Sanchez's possible release. — BM, GMA News