Padilla taps Panelo as legal adviser

Leading senatorial candidate Robin Padilla on Friday disclosed he would tap fellow candidate lawyer Salvador Panelo as his “legislative consultant” if he gets elected in the 2022 national and local elections.

Padilla, who would serve his first term as a senator, admitted his push for the country’s shift towards federalism would not be easy. He would thus need Panelo’s help in crafting laws.

To recall, the actor’s campaign platform centered on charter change.

"Kailangan ko ng pambato sa usapin ng batas pagdating sa Senado. Ang pagpapalit ng saligang batas ay hindi magiging madali sapagkat ang babanggain nito ay ang kasalukuyang naghaharing mga oligarko nakakubli sa 1987 Constitution," Padilla wrote in a Facebook post.

(I need someone in legislative discussions in the Senate. Changing the Constitution will not be easy because it will go against the ruling oligarchy hiding behind the 1987 Constitution.)

Both Padilla and Panelo ran for the Senate under the banner of the ruling  PDP-Laban party.

As of 2:47 p.m. on May 13, Padilla remained at the forefront of the senatorial race with 26,454, 562 votes based on the partial, unofficial tally from the latest election returns from the Commission on Elections Transparency Server. — DVM, GMA News