NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said it would be a “tragedy” not to vote for a senatorial candidate and former senior presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo.

Duterte brought up Panelo’s distinctive fashion sense in the third episode of The President’s Chatroom, which aired Monday night on PTV-4, saying it generally distracted people’s attention away from his being a “very brilliant lawyer and as a very good public servant.”

“It would be a tragedy if ayaw nilang bumoto sa iyo at gusto nilang bumoto diyan ngayon sa mga kalinya na senador,” he remarked.

Instead of simply describing Panelo as fashionable, Duterte said voters should be aware that he is “educated, a good communicator, and one who has the passion in his heart to serve and protect the Filipino people.”

He praised Panelo’s “independent intellect,” saying that the former presidential spokeswoman would occasionally engage in lengthy debates on issues with which they disagreed.

“On many elements of government, we don’t understand each other.” But for those na nagkaisa kami, ‘yun ‘yung para talaga sa Pilipino (where we agree, they’re genuinely for the Filipino) and it’s a well-studied law eventually kung lalabas (when it comes out),” he remarked.

Voting for Panelo, according to Duterte, may mean “perhaps a colorful life” in the Senate.

At official events, Panelo is noted for donning bright shawls and wild-patterned outfits.

Panelo’s website

Panelo, for one, expressed his desire to see legislation enacted that would provide free schooling, rehabilitation, and facilities for children with special needs or disabilities.

Carlo, Panelo’s late son, was born with Down syndrome.

“Kung ako’y maging senator, magsusulong po ako ng batas kung saan, unang-una, libre lahat ng batang may kapansanan ng special education (If elected senator, I would fight for a law that will give free education to children with special needs or disabilities),” he stated.

Panelo said he would like to expand Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, to abolish the requirement for entrance tests in state institutions and colleges.

“Dapat ho, may isusulong akong batas na aamyendahan ‘yung Tertiary Act na wala ng admission exam,” says the student. Someone should push for an amendment to the Tertiary Act that eliminates entrance tests. Hayaan mo na, basta ka ipinanganak kang Pilipino, mahirap ka, pumasok ka diyan, libre ka (Someone should push for an amendment to the Tertiary Act that eliminates entrance examinations.) As long as you’re a Filipino and impoverished, you can enroll for free),” he explained.

He believes that RA 1223, or the Universal Health Care Act, should be amended to provide free medical services to all Filipinos.

“Kung ano-ano ang mga requirements, ang hirap ng processing, pabalik-balik sila ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na nagpapatupad ng Universal Health Care, pabalik-balik sila.” Eh, wala nga hong pera, wala nga ngang pamasahe pababalik-balikin mo pa’yan. So ayaw na na na na na na na (Government agencies implementing Universal Health Care) Palagay ko, Ginoong Pangulo (Government agencies implementing Universal Health Care are requesting so many requirements that processing is difficult. They don’t have any money, no fare, and they constantly having to return, so they give up. “I believe, Mr. President,” he added, “that statute should be amended.”

Panelo is also advocating for increased benefits for single parents, teacher pay raises, a pension fund for abroad Filipino workers, discounts for public utility vehicle drivers, and tougher penalties for LGBT discrimination, among other things.

He promised to continue Duterte’s “tapang at malasakit (courage and compassion)” style of government.

“Kumbaga sa brand, kung may tinatawag na Louis Vuitton, Gucci, ‘yung kind of service mo, Ginoong Pangulo, ay may tatak na ‘yan, may tapang at may malasakit, It has a brand, Mr. President, it has courage and compassion),” he remarked.

Panelo also served as the president’s spokeswoman from 2018 until 2020, following the resignation of Harry Roque. During Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign, he also acted as his legal counsel.

He is a senatorial candidate for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party, which is led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

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