Panelo says Comelec appointment mere ‘rumor’
In this July 27, 2016 photo, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo attended the first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte. Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV, File
MANILA, Philippines — Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday laughed off speculations that he would be named the new Commission on Elections chair.
“That's only [a] rumor. I'll just laugh it off,” Panelo said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.
Panelo made the clarification after rumors that he would be appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace resigned poll chief Juan Andres “Andy” Bautista surfaced.
The presidential lawyer said he does not think he would be offered the Comelec post because the president “has already someone in mind.”
Panelo, however, refused to disclose the official being eyed by Duterte for the poll body.
“I'm not at liberty to share that to you now. Let us wait for the president’s decision and announcement on that matter,” Panelo said.
“The appointee would be a man of integrity–the very qualification that he has for all appointees,” he added.
Last October 11, Bautista announced that he would resign effective December 31. Duterte accepted his resignation and said it is effective immediately.
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