Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Panelo made the statement after Umali’s family announced his death Thursday.
The former solon passed away due to cardiac arrest following a bout with cancer and COVID-19. He was 63.
In a statement, Panelo said he was one in mourning the passing of the late lawmaker.
“We were deeply saddened upon learning about the death of Atty. Reynaldo “RU” Umali, former Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative,” he said Thursday.
“As we pay tribute to the life of Congressman Umali, we express our sincere condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and loved ones,” he added.
Concerned parties should reserve judgment on the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera until the police investigation is completed, according to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Published December 24, 2020, 5:34 PM
Where are the police body cams?
This question was raised by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Thursday after the death of a mother and son in Paniqui, Tarlac in the hands of a police officer.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In his public affairs show “Counterpoint,” President Duterte’s top lawyer said that the body camera is both for the protection of the public and the police.
Even the President was inquiring about the use of body cameras, Panelo said, adding that he will be calling PNP chief Debold Sinas to ask him about the body cameras that were prompted by the 2017 death of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos.
Published December 16, 2020, 2:35 PM
President Duterte’s chief legal counsel too exception to a report from an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor that it found “reasonable basis” to believe that crimes against humanity were committed in President Duterte’s drug war.
Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo made the statement after ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in her 2020 Report on Preliminary Examination Activities that her office may ask for authorization to conduct an investigation on the Philippines justice system.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
In a statement, Panelo took exception to the report, saying it was clear that Bensouda and her office are playing politics in an attempt to besmirch the popularity and reputation of President Duterte.