Duterte: Respect my choices

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with Lawyer Salvador Panelo. JULLIANE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY—Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has asked his critics to respect his choices of Cabinet members.

Nothing is final, he said, in a news conference on Saturday night. Changes may still be made before his inauguration on June 30, he added.

Duterte defended his designation of Salvador Panelo as press secretary.

Panelo previously was counsel of the Ampatuan family accused in the massacre of 58 people, including 32 media workers, in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

Critics said Panelo’s appointment might  have implications on the trial of the Ampatuan family.

“We already know where the case is headed,” Mary Grace Morales, whose  husband was among those killed, said in a statement.

“If he is indeed appointed, I will no longer hope for progress in  this case,” she said.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said Panelo’s  appointment may have implications on the case.

“We urge the incoming government not to let political considerations get in  the way of ensuring justice for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre,” NUJP chair Ryan Rosauro said.

But Duterte asked people to respect his  Cabinet choices, saying he had complete trust in their integrity and capacity.

 Longtime friends

“Panelo has been a friend of mine for many, many years. I was a prosecuting fiscal at the time. Do not supplant your decision to me. Respect  my decision,” Duterte said.

Earlier, Panelo said the families of the massacre victims should not worry about him  influencing the trial. He said he withdrew as counsel for the Ampatuans last year, and he respected due process.

“I would rather not talk about the merits of the case for I am not anymore part  of the case. But the Duterte presidency will always be responsive to calls  of justice,” Panelo said.

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