Duterte scouting for a new presidential spokesperson

Salvador Panelo’s days as spokesman may be numbered as President Rodrigo Duterte said he was scouting for a new one.

Duterte said Panelo couldn’t handle the job.

“I don’t think he can position himself to be a spokesman. Maybe in the meantime, but I’m considering other names,” Duterte said in an ambush interview in Boracay after leading the distribution of land titles there.

The President said he wanted someone from the media to be the next spokesperson.

“Mahirap. I’m scouting for… pero preferably one from media community. Sanay eh. Sanay mag… You would know how to respond to questions,” he said.

(It’s difficult. I’m scouting for…but I prefer someone from the media community, one who is used to…You would know how to respond to questions)

Duterte named Panelo, his chief presidential legal counsel, as spokesman after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque decided to run for senator. /ee

READ: Panelo is Duterte’s next spokesman