Resign? That’s absurd, says Panelo

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Wednesday slammed former Pasig Regional Trial Court Judge Harriet Demetriou for her recent comments regarding the spokesman’s alleged hand on the “impending release” of former Calauag, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez.

In a statement, Panelo said that Demetriou’s call for him to resign is “silly, if not absurd,” noting that he finds it unfortunate that the former Pasig RTC judge has expressed an opinion against me on the basis of pure speculation.

“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,” said Panelo.

“I will instead continue to faithfully perform my duties in accordance with the law, the functions attached to my office as well as the directives given me by the President,” he added.

The Palace official also explained that President Rodrigo Duterte had asked his opinion about the matter and he said that he issued an official statement that Sanchez is excluded from the benefits of Republic Act No. 10592.

“I have made it a point to provide legal advice to the President based solely on what the law provides and allows,” said Panelo. “It is for this reason that when the President asked for my opinion on whether Mr. Antonio Sanchez was covered by the benefit granted to inmates under Republic Act No. 10592, I categorically stated that by express provision of the law, Mr. Sanchez and those similarly situated, meaning inmates charged and convicted of heinous crimes, as well as those recidivists, habitual delinquents and escapees, are excluded from the coverage of the law.”

Panelo also stressed that his office has nothing to do with the possible release of qualified inmates.

“That is the turf and the responsibility of the Department of Justice and the concerned offices under it. I do not intrude nor poke my finger into any matter that is not within the mandate of my office,” said Panelo.