Panelo qualifies for mental gymnastics gold in defense over Hidilyn matrix

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics currently consist of 33 sports, two of which the Philippines have been assured of a medal. Mental gymnastics is not a part of the Games, but if it were, the country could probably vie for its third.

Our star athlete? Probably Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

The Filipino lawyer has been the subject of much furor for being remembered as the person responsible for presenting the 2019 ‘Oust Duterte’ matrix, which featured personalities who allegedly plot to overthrow President Rodrigo Duterte.

The matrix, which included journalists, lawyers, and now gold-medalist Hidilyn Diaz, was a subject of controversy, particularly for Panelo’s failure to justify Malacañang’s sources for the ouster allegations, which ranged from President Duterte himself to a text message from an unknown source.

In an interview with ANC’s Karmina Constantino, Panelo has been given the chance to own up for his inclusion of Hidilyn, who was once upset enough to create a video defending herself from the accusation.

However, Panelo only apologized for the distress that was caused, not for his role in presenting the matrix, which has since been deemed as baseless and false.

Anong ginawa ko? I just presented the matrix na wala naman akong kinalaman, upon the instructions of the President. You cannot apologize for something you have not committed’, justified Panelo.

Panelo also claimed that the matrix was misinterpreted, arguing that Diaz was only involved in the graphic due to being followed on social media by one of the alleged insurrectionists.

But what seems lost on Panelo is that, while he did not create the matrix himself, nor did he directly name Diaz as a conspirator, he had a role in propagating the misinformation by presenting it without hesitance, thus exposing Diaz and others to harm.

‘You may have unwittingly injured a person that was put in the matrix’, argued the anchor. ‘The matrix included untruths, falsities, so why not even apologize for that?’

Constantino also pointed out that Panelo himself was not aware of the true details of the matrix during the presentation, adding that he was asked ‘several times’ but failed to provide explanations.

Panelo then admitted that he only learned of the specifics of what he had presented after the media presscon had concluded.

Still, Panelo was sorry for hurting Hidilyn, while partly blaming her for her ‘misplaced’ feelings.

‘The message is before you feel pain about it, medyo tignan mo muna kung talagang tama ba yung sapantaha mo’, said Panelo, adding that the pvblic outrage to her inclusion led to the misunderstanding.

‘Shouldn’t the lesson here be more circumspect before you present anything to the media?’, countered Constantino. However, Panelo refused to budge on his non-apology.

‘Alam mo yung sorry-not-sorry? Parang ganon yung ginagawa mo Secretary Sal’, concluded the ANC anchor.

The post <b> Panelo qualifies for mental gymnastics gold in defense over Hidilyn matrix </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic