Abella replaces Panelo as incoming presidential spokesperson

MANILA, Philippines – Lawyer Salvador Panelo has confirmed that he is no longer the incoming presidential spokesperson of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte as he is now assigned as the chief presidential legal counsel.

“I have just been named chief presidential legal counsel. Actually, that has been my position all along and my being presidential spokesman was temporary as he announced and explained to the Cabinet tonight,” Panelo said in a statement to media on Thursday.

Replacing Panelo is an educator and former pastor, Ernesto “Ernie” Abella, initially named as the deputy presidential spokesperson.

Abella and incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday evening also confirmed the assignment changes.

"Mr. Panelo will be his (Duterte) chief legal counsel,” Abella said in a Facebook live interview by The STAR reporter Robertzon Ramirez. “As of this evening, I imagine,” he added when asked if Panelo is no longer the official presidential spokesperson.

Andanar explained that he will serve as PCOO secretary while Abela will be the spokesperson.

He added that the reason why Duterte said Panelo was only a “temporary” presidential spokesperson was because the incoming president plans to tap Abella as his spokesman.

“Well apparently it's been the plan since day one,” Andanar said.

Abella faced the media for the first time on Monday. He said he seeks to “act as a conduit between himself and the people through the media.”

RELATED: 1st Rody Cabinet meet on June 30