MANILA – Salvador Panelo is set to be replaced as Presidential spokesperson with President Rodrigo Duterte already in the process of finding someone who can handle the job well.
Speaking to the media from Malay, Aklan on Thursday night, the President said that he is scouting for someone from the media who can handle questions from the Malacañang press.
“No, I don’t think (Panelo) will transition himself to a spokesman… In the meantime… I’m considering other names. Maybe someone from ABS-CBN,” Duterte said.
“Mahirap. I’m scouting for someone pero preferably one from media community,” he added. “Yung sanay. Yung someone who would know how to respond to questions from the media.”
Panelo was appointed as Presidential spokesperson last month by Duterte following the resignation of Harry Roque, who filed his certificate of candidacy for a Senate seat in 2019 midterm elections.
Panelo is already the third Palace spokesperson of Duterte after starting his administration with Ernesto Abella before being replaced by Roque a year later.
Despite his impending exit as Duterte’s mouthpiece, Panelo will still remain with the Cabinet as the chief presidential legal counsel./PN
