‘No conflict of interest’: Duterte defends Panelo’s 'referral' letter for Sanchez case

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday cleared presidential spokesman and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo of alleged “conflict of interest” in the call for release of former mayor and convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez.

On Tuesday, Board of Pardon and Parole executive director Reynaldo Bayang revealed that Panelo referred the request of Marie Antonelvie Sanchez—his former client’s daughter—for executive clemency.

The letter was dated Feb. 26, 2019.

This sparked question on “conflict of interest” on the part of Panelo who was Sanchez's former defense legal counsel. 

Duterte, however, defended his chief legal counsel and said Panelo “just happened to become a lawyer” and now a presidential official.

Asked if there was a conflict of interest, Duterte replied: “No, because he has no decision at all. Why is there a conflict of interest?”

He said Panelo did not commit infraction by sending a referral to BPP.

Duterte stressed that Panelo wasn’t called upon by the Sanchez family to decide on the release of the former Calauan, Laguna mayor.

“Hiningan siya tulong kasi nga abugado siya noon. Ano ba masama diyan? (He was asked for help because he was the former lawyer. What’s wrong with that?)” he asked.

On Tuesday, Panelo clarified that he was just following the standard procedure when he referred the Sanchez family’s request.

“It has been the standard operating procedure of the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to respond to all letters received by it and refer them to the appropriate department or agency which has the authority to act on the writer’s concern,” he said.