CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo will serve as President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesperson in concurrent capacity.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said Panelo's appointment was effective Thursday, October 11, since Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. has gone on leave and is "still weighing his options."

"Yes," Panelo confirmed in a text message, when asked if he has been tapped as Duterte's next spokesperson.

Panelo's revelation came two days after Duterte admitted that he wants his top lawyer to lead the Office of the Press Secretary, which is expected to be re-established soon through an executive order.

The Press Secretary post was initially offered to Roque, but the President doubted that the former would accept the new post since he is bent on running for senator in the 2019 mid-term elections.

Roque, who is currently in China, stressed that he has "not resigned" from post as Duterte's official spokesperson.

"I will defer any comment [on everything] until Monday (October 16) since I am in China," Roque said.

Panelo, in a separate interview, said his new role as Duterte's chief legal counsel and spokesperson was nothing new.

"Wala namang pagbabago kasi (Nothing has changed because since) day one of the presidential campaign of the President, I was already his spokesperson, and day one, when he assumed presidency, I was also his spokesperson," he said.

"The only difference I think would be I would be more visible this time kasi as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, I was really speaking for the President on matters of national sensitive issues that require my articulation on the thoughts and ideas of the President," he added. (SunStar Philippines)