MANILA, Philippines- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s legal counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo is embroiled in a new controversy after photos of him dining with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her birthday emerged online.
The photos, which were allegedly posted on Panelo’s Facebook account, was shared by Twitter user Servant Rules (@borgyborgonia1) on Tuesday, May 3. The photos quickly spread like wildfire on social media shortly after it was posted.
In the caption of the Twitter post, Servant Rules wrote: “The power behind Duterte straight from Atty. Panelo who forgot his privacy settings. Hi GMA! Where’s the neck brace?”
Meanwhile, the caption of Panelo’s alleged post reads: “Taken during the birthday bash of a celebrated friend in her La Vista home with volunteer ladies for Mayor Duterte on April 5, 2016.”
On March 15, the Supreme Court allowed Arroyo, who is facing plunder charges and electoral fraud, to spend her birthday at her Quezon City residence for 3 days on April 4 to April 6. The congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga turned 69 on April 5.
During the gathering of Friends of Rody Duterte in San Fernando, Pampanga on February 5, Duterte disclosed his plans of releasing Arroyo from detention should he assume presidency.
“If I am elected President, I will release her. Why? Because the evidence [against her] is weak. I know that. I am a lawyer,” Duterte said at the gathering.
He added that like ordinary citizens, Arroyo is entitled to a speedy trial.
The presidential aspirant previously served as Arroyo’s consultant on public order during her administration.
While several netizens questioned Duterte’s current connection with the former president, others pointed out Arroyo wasn’t wearing her neck brace which she had been wearing since 2011.
In 2012, the same issue haunted Arroyo who quickly defended herself.
"(My) doctor reminded me not to wear my neck brace all the time to prevent atrophy. But my neck hurts after a while," Arroyo explained on Twitter.
As of this writing, Panelo has not made a comment on the controversial photos.
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has dinner with Duterte’s legal counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo? |
In the caption of the Twitter post, Servant Rules wrote: “The power behind Duterte straight from Atty. Panelo who forgot his privacy settings. Hi GMA! Where’s the neck brace?”
Meanwhile, the caption of Panelo’s alleged post reads: “Taken during the birthday bash of a celebrated friend in her La Vista home with volunteer ladies for Mayor Duterte on April 5, 2016.”
The power behind Duterte straight from Atty. Panelo who forgot his privacy settings. Hi GMA! Where's the neck brace? pic.twitter.com/cOruSZ4R22— Servant Rules (@borgyborgonia1) May 2, 2016
On March 15, the Supreme Court allowed Arroyo, who is facing plunder charges and electoral fraud, to spend her birthday at her Quezon City residence for 3 days on April 4 to April 6. The congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga turned 69 on April 5.
During the gathering of Friends of Rody Duterte in San Fernando, Pampanga on February 5, Duterte disclosed his plans of releasing Arroyo from detention should he assume presidency.
“If I am elected President, I will release her. Why? Because the evidence [against her] is weak. I know that. I am a lawyer,” Duterte said at the gathering.
He added that like ordinary citizens, Arroyo is entitled to a speedy trial.
The presidential aspirant previously served as Arroyo’s consultant on public order during her administration.
While several netizens questioned Duterte’s current connection with the former president, others pointed out Arroyo wasn’t wearing her neck brace which she had been wearing since 2011.
In 2012, the same issue haunted Arroyo who quickly defended herself.
"(My) doctor reminded me not to wear my neck brace all the time to prevent atrophy. But my neck hurts after a while," Arroyo explained on Twitter.
As of this writing, Panelo has not made a comment on the controversial photos.
--Mini, The Summit Express
