Panelo to file libel complaints vs Inquirer.net, Rappler over Sanchez clemency reports
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced he is filing libel complaints against two media outfits for their reports about his letter referring the plea for executive clemency for his former client, convicted rapist and killer Antonio Sanchez.
Panelo, who is also President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief presidential counsel, said his office is drafting the libel complaints against news websites Rappler and Inquirer.net.
“Those articles are reeking with not only irresponsibility but also with malice and it is libelous in nature because it imputes an act to discredit me in public and to tarnish my honor,” Panelo told reporters Tuesday.
He said he will file “cyber libel at the same time regular libel” against the two media outfits.
In an earlier press briefing Tuesday, Panelo confirmed he wrote a letter to the Board of Pardons and Parole last Feb. 26, 2019 to refer a request of the Sanchez family for the executive clemency for the former Calauan, Laguna mayor. But he stressed that he “never recommended anything.”
He said that it is the standard operating procedure of his office to respond to all letters received by it and refer them to appropriate agencies and that the referral of the Sanchez family is “just one of the thousands of referrals.”
“The document speaks for itself. The application was referred to the Board of Pardons and Parole. We have nothing to do with it,” the president’s mouthpiece said.
In December 2018, the BPP dismissed Sanchez’s petition for executive clemency. The board upheld the dismissal on February 27.
‘Diversionary tactic’
In a statement, Rappler called Panelo’s libel threat a “pure diversionary tactic.”
The news website noted that Duterte’s chief presidential legal counsel “lawyered” for Sanchez and that he met with Sanchez’s family in Malacañang last February “using government resources.”
“Instead of shooting the messenger, Panelo should instead answer questions about his possible conflicts of interest,” the news website said.
Here is Rappler's statement on Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo's threat to file libel complaints over stories about Antonio Sanchez's possible early release.https://t.co/pDc4McqT56 pic.twitter.com/DxAmTGLJTD
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 3, 2019
Panelo confirmed meeting with the family of Sanchez in his office at Malacañang but he insisted that he never had “personal communication” with them.
Panelo served as a legal counsel for Sanchez, who was convicted for the rape-slay of University of the Philippines Los Baños student Mary Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of her boyfriend Allan Gomez.
He earlier said he had withdrawn from the case before the conviction was appealed. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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