Locsin defends Panelo: ‘We never contradicted each other’

Locsin, who rarely conducts press briefings, said he had “never been a media people person” as his colleagues witnessed during the administration of then-President Cory Aquino and in Congress. (File photo: Teddy Boy Locsin/Facebook)

MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. defended Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who was recently criticized for speaking on Philippine foreign policy.

“Senators asked why Sal Panelo also speaks on foreign policy when only President and Secretary make foreign policy. Two reasons: 1. He is (the) presidential spokesman and shares with media President’s thoughts including on foreign policy. The President and I make foreign policy. 2. I am constrained by military/diplomatic sources for info; so I cannot react to media,” he said on his official Twitter account.

Locsin, who rarely conducts press briefings, said he had “never been a media people person” as his colleagues witnessed during the administration of then-President Cory Aquino and in Congress.

“Media is fortunate in having Sal who loves engaging them. We never contradicted each other,” said Locsin, who described Panelo as someone who stands by the president “through thick and thin”.

“Sal is one of a few people who stand by the President through thick and thin, and stick their necks out for him when he is unfairly treated by media or outright traduced which is a cottage industry. While he is thin and I am portly, we have courage and conviction in common,” he added.

During the deliberations on the proposed 2020 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday night, some senators questioned if Panelo acted as “secondment to DFA” and claimed that some of his remarks were “contradictory” to Locsin’s position.

The presidential spokesperson denied this, saying “there has never been any inconsistency between the functions of the DFA and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson”.