Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo believes that former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma was coerced into implicating former President Rodrigo Duterte into the alleged directives regarding the nationwide implementation of the war on drugs.
"If you will examine the affidavit, ang tingin ko as a lawyer, this was craftly made by a lawyer para ang namimilit kay Garma na ituro si FPRRD at siraan siya ay pinagbigyan niya pero ang affidavit niya will never stand in court," Panelo said during an exclusive interview with DZRH for Damdaming Bayan on Monday.
Panelo further noted that Garma claims Duterte contacted her in May 2016, at which point he was not yet president.
He pointed out that this fact raises the probability that the event did not actually occur. Furthermore, Garma claims she was not involved in the Davao model. Panelo emphasized that if she wasn't part of it, it is unlikely she would have knowledge of the model.
Panelo also stated that Garma's details are based on hearsay, as she said, "I was informed" and "I overheard," indicating that she lacks personal knowledge of the events.
"Itong si Garma, mukhang pinilit, tinakot ito. Tandaan mo nakakulong ito. Baka sinabi kapag hindi ka gumawa ng ganitong affidavit, hindi kumanta kasi anong ikakanta niya, there's nothing to say," said Panelo.
"Napilitan siya. Pinagbigyan niya, at the same time hindi rin siya mapapasama. Iyan ang tingin ko diyan," he added.
According to Panelo, Duterte is merely laughing off the accusations. He also reiterated that Duterte is willing to attend the quad-comm hearing, based on his own statements. However, he noted that the ex-president has not received any invitation.
