National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago and former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo 

MANILA, Philippines – National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago refuted former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo’s stament that Vice President Sara Duterte would be catapulted to sure presidency should her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte die in prison, as had been historically proven. 

Santiago clarified that in elections, candidates win, not assume a position. 

“May WIN in the election…but not ASSUME presidency…hindi naman si PRRD ang presidente NGAYON! paano mag a-assume… MISQUOTED nga si ATTY. PANELO…,” Santiago said in a viber message Monday. 

A lawyer and a formal trial judge, Santiago explained that if technicalities would apply, the statement could be legally challenged but the NBI chief believes Panelo might just have misquoted himself. 

“Kung masayado tayong maghihigpit, pwede…pero honest MISQUOTE lang siguro… hehehe,” he said. 

Panelo who spoke at a media forum last March 27 floated the idea that there would be dramatic change in the Philipine’s political landscape in the event the former president dies in prison catapulting his daughter to the presidency. 

“If former president Rodrigo Duterte should die in detention at The Hague, it could catapult Vice President Sara Duterte into the presidency,” Panelo said. 

Panelo cited family members of former members being shooed into presidency after their elected patriarch or matriarch dies. 

“History shows that when a major political figure, like a president, passes away, it often leads to the rise of a family member,” he explained.

“Remember when Cory Aquino died? Her son, PNoy, had no plans of running for president. But after she died, he suddenly found himself in Malacañang. This could be a similar situation,” Panelo said.

Panelo stressed the massive protests in and out of the country in support of the former president showcasing his still massive popularity even after stepping down from office. 

The former president is currently detained at The Hague, Netherlands pending trial for charges of crimes against humanity for the deaths linked to his administration both as a local executive and as an ex-state chief.