Salvador Panelo
Salvador Panelo | |
|---|---|
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| Chief Presidential Legal Counsel | |
| Assumed office April 13, 2020 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Vacant |
| In office June 30, 2016 – October 11, 2018[1] | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Alfredo Caguioa |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Presidential Spokesperson | |
| In office October 15, 2018 – April 13, 2020 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Deputy | China Jocson |
| Preceded by | Harry Roque |
| Succeeded by | Harry Roque |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Salvador San Buenaventura Panelo Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines |
| Political party | Kilusang Bagong Lipunan |
| Residence(s) | Marikina, Metro Manila |
| Alma mater | San Beda College of Law |
| Occupation | Politician, radio journalist |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Salvador "Sal" San Buenaventura Panelo is a Filipino lawyer who serves as the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte. He previously served as concurrent Presidential Spokesperson from 2018 to 2020 and was the legal adviser during Duterte's 2016 presidential campaign. As a private lawyer, he has handled cases involving politicians and other controversial personalities. He is a former Director of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.[2][3]
Early life and education
Salvador Panelo is a native of Naga, Camarines Sur.[4] He studied elementary school at the Murphy Elementary School and high school at the Roosevelt Memorial High School (AY 1959-1962). He earned his BS in Political Science and BA English degrees at University of Nueva Caceres.[5] He moved to Manila to go to the San Beda College of Law for his law education. As a student at the San Beda, he was involved in student activism during the pre-martial law period.[4] He stayed at San Beda and completed law school at the San Beda College of Law in 1974. He passed the Philippine Bar Examination the same year.[6][2][3]
Career
Early works
Panelo first practiced law at United Laboratories where he served as the company's legal counsel from 1977 to 1987. He assumed the directorship of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in 1983 and presidency of the IBP Rizal Chapter in 1985. In 1987, he was hired as a radio anchor at DZEC Radyo Agila where he worked for one year. It was also in 1987 when he started his private law practice.[2]
Notable cases
In his 40 years of law practice, he served as the defense lawyer of prominent politicians such as Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. who was implicated in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez who was tried for the 1993 Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez murder, and the family of former President Ferdinand Marcos in relation to recovering their ill-gotten wealth.[2][7]
Panelo also lawyered for former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos who was embroiled in the 2007 elections scandal, Philip Medel who was convicted in the murder of actress Nida Blanca, and the family of slain racing champion Enzo Pastor. His other clients include celebrities such as Deniece Cornejo in her 2014 rape case against actor Vhong Navarro, and Dennis Roldan who was convicted of kidnapping a Filipino-Chinese boy in 2005.[2][7]
Other works
Panelo is a member the Rotary Club of Makati Southwest chapter, a member of the Board of Trustees of the San Beda Law Alumni Association, and Secretary General of the Asean Law Association Golfers’ Club. He was an unsuccessful candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan in the 1992 Senate election. Prior to joining the government of Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, 2016, he was his legal counsel and defense lawyer on the charges of hidden wealth by Vice Presidential candidate Antonio Trillanes during the presidential campaign. He eventually served as the President-elect's transitional spokesperson before being designated as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.[2][7] On May 1, 2020, Panelo began hosting a talk show on People's Television Network titled Counterpoint with Secretary Salvador Panelo, produced by the Presidential Broadcast Staff - Radio Television Malacañang (RTVMalacañang).[8][9] Panelo created the program for the purpose of "discussing the issues affecting our country," as well as to "analyze, dissect issues raised by certain critics and others against certain policies of the government".[8]
Personal life
Panelo resides in Marikina.[10] He had a son, Carlo, who died of heart complications from Down syndrome on January 6, 2017, at the age of 27.[11]
References
- ^ Ranada, Pia (October 11, 2018). "Sal Panelo is Duterte's new spokesman". Rappler. Manila, Philippines: Rappler Inc. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
Presidential aide Bong Go said Panelo's appointment is effective 'today,' Thursday, October 11.
- ^ a b c d e f Inquirer Research; Pacia, S.I. "The Duterte Administration". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "The Duterte Cabinet". Interaksyon. June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Natividad, J. (May 26, 2016). "Naga City, Bicol mediamen vouch for Sal Panelo's designation as permanent Press Secretary, spokesman". Bicol Today. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "Welcome to the ALB Philippine Law Awards 2018!". Asian Legal Business. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ "Lawyers List". Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c Gavilan, J. (18 May 2016). "Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo and his high-profile cases". Rappler. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ a b Kabiling, Genalyn (May 1, 2020). "Panelo launches TV show to defend Duterte from critics". Manila Bulletin. mb.com.ph. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ RTVMalacanang (May 5, 2020). "Counterpoint with Secretary Salvador Panelo 5/1/2020". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
New Executive Building (NEB), Malacañang
- ^ "Panelo commutes for 3.5 hours, still insists there's no transport crisis". CNN Philippines. October 11, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Panelo son passes away at 27". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
