Guest of Honor and Speaker's Profile

PROFILE: SALVADOR SAN BUENAVENTURA PANELO

Atty. Salvador S. Panelo is the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Prior to that, he had an illustrious career as a private law practitioner with expertise in constitutional, criminal and remedial law. He was known for handling controversial and celebrated cases. He was also a professor of law at the Centro Escolar University, School of Law, University of the East, College of Law since 2003 and currently at the College of Law, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Personal Life

Secretary Panelo is the eight child of 12 children of Pantaleon Panelo who was a geodetic engineer with a law degree, and Soledad San Buenaventra who was a teacher and insurance agent. He is married to Dr. Araceli Abrogina-Panelo- a highly regarded and leading diabetologist in the country. She is the Chairman of the Institue for Studies on Diabetes Fondation, Inc. (ISDFI), and a member of the faculty of Medicine, University of the East.

Before starting their own family, Atty. And Dr. Panelo adopted and raised Antonieta Victorino Fernando, Merle Victorino and Michelle Victorino Brown, who were orphaned at a young age due to the untimely demise of Atty. Panelo’s sister, Magdalena Panelo – Victorino, and brother-in-law Manny Victorino.

Atty. And Dr. Panelo were thereafter blessed with four children: Ramona Francesca A. Panelo-Ferreras, an interior designer and a clinical study coordinator for ISDFI; Salvador Paolo A. Panelo, Jr., a practicing lawyer and Senior Associate of the Migallos and Luna Law Offices; Salvador Carlo A. Panelo III, a special child and a student at Cupertino School for Special Children who passed away on January 6, 2017; and Salvador Angelo A. Panelo IV, a senior medical intern at the University of the East medical school.

Education

Atty. Panelo finished elementary school at the Murphy Elementary School and high school at the Roosevelt Memorial High School (AY 1959-1962). He graduated at the University of the University of Nueva Careres with a degree Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science. Thereafter, he obtained a degree in law the University of the Philippines.

Organizations

Atty. Panelo is a member and/or officer of various organizations, including the following: Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Quezon City Chapter (Lifetime Member); Sigma Rho Fraternity, U.P. College of Law; former member of Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity Nationalism, Inc., or MABINI; Kapisanan ng Makabagong Kabataang Pilipino, or KMKP (Founding Chairman, 1970-1972); and Brotherhood of Mother’s Kids, or BROMOKI -a spiritual group (Secretary-General).

Other Career Highlights

In addition, Secretary Panelo had hosted various radio and television programs, including: “Magmahalan Tayo,” Eagle Broadcasting Corp. (1987-1999), “Broadcaster’s Bureau,” DWBR (2001 - 2002); “Pasada Sais Trenta,” (co-hosted with Pinky Webb, 2005); “By Request” (a musical show co-hosted with Aliw Awardee Arthur Manuntag, 2007-2008); and Counterpoint (a political commentary program, 2009-2010). Currently, he is hosting a Sunday night radio program at DZRJ.

Further, he has been a columnist of Counterpoint, RJ TV, “OpinYon,” a weekly newspaper, and “Karapatang Batas ATBP,” Pilipino Mirror.