Panelo cites freedom of expression in ‘Ang Probinsyano’

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo sees nothing wrong with the way ABS-CBN’s “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” is portraying cops and other government officials despite an initial tiff with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

“Maybe in the show the corrupt person there is the PNP chief, and this way, he is touchy. But it may, as a lawyer, I think that may fall under freedom of expression, I don’t think you can curtail it,” said Panelo, who is also the chief presidential legal counsel.

Interviewed by The Chiefs over Cignal TV's One News channel, Panelo said TV stations could proceed with their portrayal of the police and even a “corrupt” president for cinematic purposes.

“To my mind, but of course if they file a case it is the case that will decide, it’s a fictional character,” he said. 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and ABS-CBN have decided to hold a dialogue to settle the issue. Representatives from the television network and the government met at Camp Crame on Wednesday, days after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año mentioned the possibility of filing legal action against the producers of the show if the storyline is not changed.

In the same TV program, Panelo also defended the President over his critical commentaries against the media, including the decision to ban a reporter from covering Malacañang.

“He is for press freedom as he is a lawyer. Now, with respect to only one reporter, the reason is that she has been dishing out fake news. And he doesn’t like it,” he pointed out.

Asked if he finds difficult his additional function as Palace spokesman, Panelo said he is not having problems in speaking on behalf of the President. “We think alike, and so I don’t see any problem. We have been friends for 30 years.”

While Duterte cusses at Catholic priests, Panelo said the President believes in God although he has a different view of this.

“This President cites Bible quotations. He quotes the Bible. As far as I am concerned, he believes in God and many Christian doctrines,” he added. “I haven’t found any remark coming from him that is difficult.”

The secret to understanding the President’s language, he hinted, is to “listen from start to finish.”

“If you look at (it that way) you will know the context,” Panelo said. “Jokes are to make people laugh. You don’t need to explain that.”

He also defended the President against perceptions that Duterte dislikes critical reporters, saying the Chief Executive actually “loves reporters. He is very amiable… He takes care of them.” He clarified though that Duterte finds distasteful slanting the news to border on sensationalism.

Panelo said the case of the reporter banned from Malacañang is an altogether different situation compared with US President Trump and his encounter with CNN reporter Jim Acosta, who was banned from the White House. Acosta was later reinstated upon order of the court.