Duterte spokesperson Panelo clears name in alleged parking incident

MANILA, Philippines – Incoming presidential spokesperson Salvador “Sal” Panelo on Monday defended himself against a netizen’s claim that he violated parking regulations in a commercial area in Greenhills, San Juan.

Panelo took to Facebook to clarify an alleged incident posted by netizen Clarisse Evangelista on Sunday and denied commiting a parking violation. He said he sought permission from the establishment’s security guard to park there for a while so he could buy a bottle of coconut virgin oil from a drugstore.

He said the guard also told him to move his car in front of a mall parking zone so he could watch over the car.

“A certain Clarisse Evangelista, obviously a non-existent person as there is nothing in her account that suggests that she exists i.e. no photo, no personal circumstances, no information on her identity, posted in Facebook an alleged incident that portrayed me as violating a no parking regulation in Greenhills Commercial Center and showing no remorse,” Panelo said in his Facebook post.

Facebook allows users to adjust their privacy settings so only selected people can see their posts, photos and their list of friends.

On Sunday afternoon, Evangelista posted her version of the parking incident on her Facebook account claiming Panelo was asked by a security guard to move his car but that the lawyer refused.

“He later stepped out of his car, brought out a Duterte tarp, which he placed on the hood, walked away leaving his car in a no parking area. Oh, may nag pa-selfie pa. Hahahaha,” she added in her post.

Evangelista added hashtags “hay,” “truth,” “the law is someone’s face on a tarp” and “you’re fired sana” in her post shared by over 1,300 netizens as of posting.

Panelo reacted to Evangelista’s claims saying some supporters of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte requested to take a picture with him and he obliged. He said one of them even asked if he could put a Duterte sticker on his car’s hood and not a tarpaulin as stated by Evangelista on her account.

“That's what happened. There was no such violation of any parking regulation nor was there any exhibition of any form of arrogance. Evidently, the person posting such false narration of an incident intended to put my image into bad light and picture me as abusive. Obviously, too, the person is an anti-Duterte basher who converted a casual incident into a false and malicious narration of an event with the purpose of maligning my person,” Panelo said.

“But as a designated Spokesman of the president-elect im not surprised at this falsity and bashing. I consider such wrongful imputation as an occupational hazard. Nothing however can deter me from pursuing my job no matter the presence of such brickbrats,” he added.

Other netizen witnesses

Prior to Panelo’s statement, a netizen named Omni Belle Gruba claimed she saw a different version of events. Like Panelo, Gruba also said the lawyer only granted Duterte’s supporters photo request with Duterte sticker on the background and not a tarpaulin.

She said the Panelo appeared like he did not budge because a guard suggested a more convenient parking space, which Panelo later on eyed.

“Apparently, there was a misinterpretation of the lawyer's actions by Ms. Clarisse Evangelista. We feel sorry that she didn't take the time to verify the truth behind her perceived facts before posting in Facebook. We do hope that Ms. Evangelista would be more circumspect and prudent in posting her observation around her,” Gruba said.

On Monday, another netizen named Rowena Go said Panelo only granted Duterte fans’ photo request and later on parked his car at the far end of the area.

“It didn't happen that way, I witnessed the incident and I can vouch for that,” Go said in her Facebook post.

“….Atty. Panelo is never abusive. In fact, he is very popular and well known in this area and everyone likes him. Clarisse Evangelista's FB account is a hoax account, no information about her, no photos of her, her family and friends whatsoever. Whoever that person is he/she posted it to bash Atty Panelo. Obviously, that person is an anti-duterte basher!!!,” her post continued.

Both Gruba's and Go's Facebook pages suggest that they are Duterte supporters. Access to Go's post on the incident is also restricted by her Facebook privacy settings while Gruba's has since been either deleted or restricted to her Facebook friends.

For her part, Evangelista edited her Facebook post and added that she will remain firm with her narration despite other netizens’ opinion. She reminded the public to respect parking rules regardless of any position and asked officials to set a good example for the public.

“If someone else saw the same incident and has a different perception of what happened, that's their own. I have no plans of trying to change their opinion. This I know for certain: Parking is prohibited on the streets inside Greenhills Shopping Centre, regardless of who you are. There are designated parking buildings. Part of peace and unity is respecting and following the law and rules even when they are inconvenient,” Evangelista said.

"Furthermore, when you are a working for the president (or soon to be president), you should set a good example and make sure you are not perceived as using your connections to get special treatment (or parking, in this case),” she added.