Calida’s remarks to ABS-CBN reporter only a ‘joke’

MANILA, Philippines — Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo on Wednesday downplayed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s confrontation with an ABS-CBN reporter, saying it was just a “joke.”

“Parang pakwela niya lang yun. Parang ako rin yun minsan. Joke lang yun (Just a joke),” Panelo said in an ambush interview when sought for his reaction on the issue.

After Calida filed the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN, he confronted the TV network’s reporter Mike Navallo for allegedly always criticizing him.

Navallo, who also a lawyer, said he was only doing his job by pursuing the story.

“Baka ang ibig niyang sabihin (Maybe he meant that), only the lawyers are entitled to the copy,” Panelo said.

“Very meek ang dating (He was meek), very quiet, hindi naman siya grandstander (Not a grandstander). Wala, napakabait na tao nun (He’s a good man). I vouch for him,” he said of Calida.

Calida’s actions towards the reporter drew criticism from several groups including the members of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) who said his “self-professed superiority does not speak well neither of the office he represents nor of the profession.”