Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo said he has been receiving encouragement to seek national office in the 2028 elections, while also identifying the candidates he personally supports for the upcoming polls.
In an interview on The Philippine Star’s “Truth On The Line,” Panelo said some groups in Mindanao have been urging him to consider becoming the vice-presidential running mate of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Panelo, however, indicated that he is not currently positioning himself as a candidate. He said he already has preferred choices for the 2028 presidential race and would only consider entering the contest under specific circumstances.
“Ang kandidato ko, si Robin Padilla. Siya ang gusto ko — either si Robin or si Bong Go. Papasok lang ako diyan kung pareho silang hindi tatakbo,” Panelo said.
His remarks come as the 2028 presidential race begins to take shape, with Duterte having announced earlier this year that she intends to seek the presidency.
Panelo has previously publicly discussed possible 2028 combinations involving the Duterte family. In 2024, he urged former President Rodrigo Duterte to consider running for vice president alongside his daughter, although the former president did not commit to the proposal.
The latest discussion also comes amid developments surrounding Senator Robin Padilla. Padilla said on September 18 that he no longer plans to seek public office in 2028 and instead wants to focus on his young children and a quieter life. He subsequently named several personalities he viewed as possible running mates for Sara Duterte, including Panelo and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Panelo’s comments leave open the possibility that he could reconsider his own political plans if both Padilla and Go ultimately decide not to seek the presidency in 2028.
