DAVAO CITY—Lawyer Salvador Panelo is no longer the presidential spokesperson and has been given a new assignment by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Panelo on Thursday confirmed that he was named chief presidential legal counsel.

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“I have just been named chief presidential legal counsel. Actually that has been my position all along and my being presidential spokesman was temporary as he announced and explained to the Cabinet tonight,” Panelo said in a statement to the media Thursday.

Duterte earlier designated Panelo as his spokesperson, but later clarified that it was only temporary.

Panelo clarified that he would still be speaking on Duterte’s behalf “on very important issues.”

Former pastor Ernesto “Ernie” Abella, who first faced the media this week after announcing the latest incoming Cabinet members, is the official presidential spokesperson. CDG/rga

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