Sara Duterte appoints lawyer Paolo Panelo as new spokesperson amid impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has appointed lawyer Paolo Panelo as her new spokesperson, her office announced on Wednesday, September 9. Panelo is the son of Salvador Panelo, who had served as chief presidential counsel of the Vice President’s father, Rodrigo Duterte. “In this capacity, Atty. Paolo will serve as the official point of communication, representing the views and positions of the Vice President and engaging with the media and public on relevant matters,” the Office of the Vice President said in a statement. “We warmly welcome and look forward to his engagement in making important information more accessible, clear, and easier for the public to understand,” it added. Lawyer Michael Poa was the last vice presidential spokesperson, a position he vacated in November 2024. Poa is part of Duterte’s defense team and spokesperson in her impeachment trial. The Panelo Law Office has represented the Duterte family in their cases. In March, Panelo was counsel for the Vice President in her perjury case against Ramil Madriaga, the self-confessed former bagman of Duterte following his revelations at the House justice committee’s impeachment pre-trial hearing. Duterte appointed a new spokesperson in the middle of her impeachment trial and as she faces a grave threats case in relation to her assassination threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family during a midnight virtual press conference in November 2024. It also comes a day after the prosecution team in the impeachment trial said that it will call Duterte to the witness stand. – Rappler.com