Panelo denies parking violation in Greenhills

Incoming presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday belied a Facebook post alleging he committed a parking violation at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Incoming presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Monday denied a Facebook post alleging he committed a parking violation at Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.

Panelo took to Facebook to deny the claim of Clarisse Evangelista, who said the lawyer “didn’t budge” when a security guard asked him to move his car.

The Facebook post of the incident reads:

“Earlier today Atty. Salvador Panelo was in his car (a grayish Mercedes Benz) in Greenhills shopping center, outside Mercury and Tropical Hut Shoppesville. He was asked by guard to move his car. He didn’t budge. He later stepped out of his car, brought out a Duterte tarp which he placed on the hood, walked away leaving his car in a no parking area. Oh, may nag pa-selfie pa. Hahahaha #‎hay #‎truth #‎thelawissomeonesfaceonatarp #‎yourefiredsana“

Panelo clarified that he asked the guard’s permission to park his car in the area to buy virgin coconut oil at a nearby drugstore.

“A certain Clarisse Evangelista, obviously a non-existent person as there is nothing in her account that suggests that she exists I.e. no photo, no personal circumstances, no information on her identity, posted in facebook an alleged incident that portrayed me as violating a no parking regulation in Greenhills Commercial Center and showing no remorse,” Panelo wrote.

“I parked my car infront of Mercury and Tropical Hot and sought permission from the security guarded posted there if could leave my car for a while as I wanted to buy a bottle of coconut virgin oil at the Mercury. The guard granted my request and told me that I could move the car infront of the Theater Mall parking zone so he could watched over it as soon as I bought the said item in the drugstore,” he added.

Evangelista also said Panelo brought out a tarpaulin of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and put it on the hood of his car before walking away.

However, the lawyer said some Duterte supporters had asked a photo with him and requested that a Duterte sticker be placed on the hood so it can be included in the photo.

“After those selfies I bought the said item at the Mercury and in less than 5 minutes I returned to my car and the guard guided me to park my car in front of the Theater Mall where the guards allowed other car drivers to park their cars. That’s what happened,” he said.

“There was no such violation of any parking regulation nor was there any exhibition of any form of arrogance. Evidently the person posting such false narration of an incident intended to put my image into bad light and picture me as abusive. Obviously too the person is an anti Duterte basher who converted a casual incident into a false and malicious narration of an event with the purpose of maligning my person,” Panelo added.

Panelo said he was not surprised by the “falsity and bashing,” as an incoming presidential spokesperson.

“I consider such wrongful imputation as an occupational hazard. Nothing however can deter me from pursuing my job no matter the presence of such brick brats,” he added.

Later, Evangelista added: “Edit: If someone else saw the same incident and has a different perception of what happened, that’s their own. I have no plans of trying to change their opinion. This I know for certain: parking is prohibited on the streets inside Greenhills Shopping Centre, regardless of who you are. There are designated parking buildings. Part of peace and unity is respecting and following the law and rules even when they are inconvenient. Furthermore, when you are a working for the President (or soon to be President), you should set a good example and make sure you are not perceived as using your connections to get special treatment (or parking, in this case).”

RAM/rga