Panelo describes Duterte as " Berdugong Anghel"

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo has always been a newsmaker.

Before being appointed as the Chief Presidential Legal counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte, he was more popularly known as the lawyer of the Stars- since he would be always be the lawyer showbiz personalities would employ. Another aspect that is truly him is his outlandish way of clothing- a simple scene stealer.

The appointment of his friend to be part of his cabinet made him tone down his lawyering engagements and helps the President in running the country, it has always been for the love of the country now.   *

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Panelo and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (Photo credits to owner)

In the last celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of Ilocos Sur Vigan City,media had a chance to ask questions with Panelo and he was asked to describe the Philippine President.

“I was asked to describe him. How are you going to describe Duterte? He is my friend for more than 30 years. We can call him ‘berdugong anghel.’ He is tough with criminals, on irregularities, and on all kinds of illegal activities in our country. He is an angel who gives love and protection to our countrymen,” Panelo said.

Panelo, explains that Duterte in handling the presidency, is the same when he was running the city hall of Davao when he was still a mayor.

And that the President has only one principle in his presidency - to obey the mandate of the Constitution.

“The President said that ‘there is only one principle that my presidency will observe and that is what the Constitution mandates me, directs me and orders me.’ That is to serve and protect the people,” Panelo said.

Panelo describes his friend brand of leadership as tough, and that there would be individuals or groups that might try to pull him down as they could be hurt by the Duterte kind of leadership style.

“Let us pray for our President. Let us storm the heavens with our prayers and ask the angels to come and spread their wings over this man so that he will be shielded from harm, injury, or anything that will hamper his presidency,” Panelo said.

Panelo tell the story that as far as eight years ago, he was convincing then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for the highest position in the land because he believed that his friend is destined to become the Chief Executive.

“Eight years have passed (since) I asked him repeatedly to run for president. I said you have a date with destiny, you have an appointment with history, and you have no more opportunity or reason not to run for the presidency because you’re destined to become president,” Panelo said.

“And if you run you will win by landslide, and that was eight years ago… I dare say today that if this President will survive the presidency, he will end up to become the greatest president that our country ever had,” he said

 Report from PhilStar