Lorenzana, Panelo apologizes to Robredo

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo apologized to Vice President Leni Robredo for the wrong information that she used a Philippine Air Force C-130 plane to Catanduanes.

Robredo refuted Panelo’s claims that she used a government-owned plane when she visited her native Bicol region to distribute relief goods to typhoon victims. Panelo said he based his claims on Lorenzana’s report.

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“I requested the Philippine Air Force to confirm through their flight manifest, and they reported that there was no instance that Vice President Robredo boarded any military aircraft in going to Catanduanes,” Lorenzana said.

However, a flight manifest showed that a Huey helicopter from Robredo’s office in Legazpi City, Albay flew relief goods in Catanduanes on November 3.

FP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said there is no issue with the Vice President using a military aircraft to aid the typhoon victims.

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“There’s no issue on that as far as the AFP is concerned,” he said in Filipino.

“What’s needed is just proper coordination or information ahead of time,” he added.

Lorenzana, Panelo apologizes to Robredo for wrong report on aircraft use

Meanwhile, Panelo said he immediately texted his apology to Robredo after learning his information about the military aircraft was “not totally correct.”

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“Noong nalaman ko na hindi siya sumakay sa eroplano ay karaka-raka humingi tayo ng paumanhin na mali pala,” he said over his Counterpoint program Wednesday.

(When I learned she did not ride the airplane, I immediately offered an apology because it was wrong.)

“I personally texted VP Leni ng aking personal apology pero pinadalhan ko siya na log report na ginamit ‘yung chopper para doon sa kanyang relief goods. Hindi ko sinasabing mali,” he added.

(I personally texted VP my personal apology, but I sent a copy of the log report that the chopper was used to ferry her relief goods.)

“Wala nga daw na si VP Leni ay sumakay sa eroplano pero ‘yung relief goods niya ay isinakay sa isang chopper, helicopter. Isinabay sa relief goods na dadalhin sa Catanduanes. ‘Yun ang istorya. Kaya sabi ni Sec Lorenzana, ‘apologies. Mali ang info ko,’” he said.