The President’s Men and Women: Panelo: Expert in high-profile cases

MANILA, Philippines - As a lawyer, chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has handled a number of high-profile cases, including the Maguindanao massacre case, which left 58 people dead and is considered as the country’s worst case of election-related violence.

On several occasions, Panelo’s fashion statement can be interpreted as outrageous and eye-catching.

The 67-year-old Cabinet member can also be seen dressed like a teenager.

“It’s a fashion statement. I love dressing up since I was a kid. I don’t follow trends, I set the trend,” Panelo said.

When he was still a bachelor, Panelo adopted three girls aged 5, 7 and 9.

He said he cried for the first time when the husband of his breast cancer-stricken sister died.

“I never cried. But at that time, I did. I could never forget that incident when my sister, Magdalena, was in a stretcher crying as she watched her husband getting buried,” Panelo said.

He said they had asked Magdalena’s husband to return home from Brazil because her health was deteriorating.

“But while on the airplane, he died. It took us three days before we broke the news to her,” Panelo, who has 10 siblings, said.

Before Magdalena died of cancer, Panelo adopted and took care of his sister’s three children – Marinette, Merle and Michelle, who all graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

“That is why I first became a father before I became a husband,” Panelo said.

He said he and his wife, Araceli Panelo, only had their first child five years after they were married.

They have four children: Ramona Francesca, Salvador Jr., Salvador Carlo and Salvador Angelo.

High-profile cases

Among the most controversial clients Panelo has defended are the members of the Ampatuan clan, who were tagged as masterminds of the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, 2009.

In 2014, Panelo was hired as defense lawyer of Andal Ampatuan Jr.

But after a year, he withdrew as legal counsel due to “personal reasons.”            

Panelo also handled the case of convicted rapist former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez.

He also lawyered for Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., who is on trial for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Panelo was one of the lawyers of the Marcoses who handled cases in relation to the government’s efforts to recover alleged ill-gotten wealth stolen by the family.

Panelo also lawyered for former National Bureau of Investigation civilian agent Martin Soriano who was charged with robbery and kidnapping in 2006.

Aside from growing bonsai plants, Panelo plays the piano to cope with the stress of the daily grind.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science from the University of Nueva Caceres and took up law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.