Charles Teves
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo is sorry for including Filipino Olympic Gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of Zamboanga City in the 2019 Oust-Duterte matrix.
He apologized after Diaz made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I’m sorry, I’m sad to know na nasaktan si Hidilyn. I’m sorry for it. Kawawa naman.” he told ANC, explaining that her inclusion in the list was to show that a man named Rodel Jayme was following her on social media, which is connected to the “Ang Totoong Narco List” video during the 2019 elections.
“There is whatsoever no intention, imagined or real, na nililink mo si Hidilyn. Nagkataon lang na inilagay yung kanyang pagiging fan nitong si Jayme. Yun lang yun eh
“Pero I’m telling Hidilyn, if she is watching, hindi naman yun, palagay ko, intensyon ng mga gumawa ng matrix,” he added.
Her feeling pain about being included in the list, however, was “misplaced.”
“Because nasaktan siya. But sinasabi ko sa kanya misplaced yun pain mo kasi hindi naman talaga yun ang intensyon,” he said.
He wants Diaz to assess everything before feeling hurt.
“The message is before you feel pain about it, medyo tingnan mo muna kung talagang tama ba yung sapantaha mo.
“Ang problema kasi, ang nangyari naman sa kanya, kaya naman siya naniniwala, eh ang daming nag-react agad,” he added.
The Palace praised Diaz after achieving unprecedented success at the Olympics.
“The Palace congratulates Hidilyn Diaz for bringing pride and glory to the Philippines for winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
“Congratulations, Hidilyn. The entire Filipino nation is proud of you. Laban, Pilipinas!” he added.
Roque also holds no accountability in the matrix since it was Panelo who came up with the matrix.
