Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo argued that the recent disbarment complaint filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte is part of a continuing black propaganda campaign.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Balansyado on Friday, Panelo stated that there are no sufficient grounds to revoke former President Duterte's bar license.
"Walang humpay ang black propaganda laban kay dating Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte. Ganyan puro paninira ‘yan," Panelo reiterated.
"Ang sinasabi nila ang dahilan daw ay kriminal daw, bastos, nagmumura, at tyaka inamin daw na siya’y pumatay ng anim na tao. ‘Yan ang pinapalabas nila kaya pinapa-disbar nila," he added.
Panelo urged the complainants to review the transcripts of the Senate and Quad-Committee hearings, pointing out that Duterte never admitted to any crime, but rather played along with those questioning him.
In October 2024, Duterte appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and reaffirmed his full responsibility for all actions taken by the police during the implementation of his administration's anti-illegal drug campaign.
"Madaling sabi, ‘yung mga sinasabing admission, hindi admission ‘yon. Kasi kung susuriin mo ‘yung mga sinasabi niya, ang sinasabi niya ay tini-trigger niya ‘yung mga kriminal doon na sila ang nagpatayan nang nagpatayan sila kaya ‘yun ang naging death squad niya, sila sila nagpapatayan. Wala siyang inaamin," said Panelo.
Additionally, Panelo highlighted that although Duterte is often labeled a criminal, he has never been convicted of any crime throughout his time as President.
"Walang demanda, walang conviction. Paano mo tatawaging kriminal ang isang tao?" he added.
In response to concerns about the former president's use of profanity, Panelo clarified that it was intended as an expression, not as an attack on any individual.
He further stated that anyone can use profanity to express outrage in certain situations or incidents, and therefore, it should not be considered a valid reason to disbar Duterte.
"Ang magiging dahilan lamang in disbarment ay kung ang isang miyembro ng bar profession o isang abogado ay nagkamit ng mga iregularidad kaugnay sa batas, kaugnay sa mga reglamento ng Integrated Bar of the Philippines," Panelo explained.
"Mayroon kaming tinatawag na ethical conduct. Kailangan hindi mo lalagutin ‘yon. Kailangan palagi kang nasa tamang decorum. Hindi ka lalabas ng regulasyon ng IBP. Hindi ka lalabag ng batas at Saligang batas," he added.
However, Panelo clarified that Duterte could file a counter-suit, but he emphasized that this is not something the former president would do, even during his time as a local government official.
"Knowing President Duterte, noong panahon na Mayor siya, kahit anong paninirang ginawa sa kanya never siyang nagdemanda," said Panelo.
According to Panelo, Duterte believes that dealing with occasional lawsuits is a natural part of public service and that one should not be too sensitive, or "onion-skinned."
Notably, a case was reportedly filed against Duterte when he was still the mayor of Davao, but he was acquitted by the Supreme Court.
Panelo reiterated that there is no truth to the claim that Duterte was involved in the alleged 30,000 extrajudicial killings that occurred under his administration during the implementation of the anti-illegal drug campaign.
"‘Yung sinasabi nilang involved siya sa 30,000 extrajudicial killings, unang-una napaka-exaggeration ‘yung 30,000. ‘Pag ikaw magdemanda kay Presidente Duterte ng 30,000 alam mo bang ilalagay mo sa information, ililista mo lahat ‘yung 30,000 na pinatay niya," Panelo explained.
Moreover, Panelo mentioned that the official police record indicates that only 6,000 individuals were killed in police raids connected to illegal drugs, with many of those involved being police officers who lost their lives.
"Bago ka magpa-disbar, patunayan mo muna ‘yung alegasyon mo," Panelo said.
On Friday, human rights advocates and the families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims filed a disbarment complaint against Duterte with the Supreme Court.
