 Prior to joining the government of Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, 2016, he was his legal counsel and defense lawyer on the charges of hidden wealth by Vice Presidential candidate Antonio Trillanes during the presidential campaign.He eventually served as the President-elect's transitional spokesperson before being designated as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.On May 1, 2020, Panelo began hosting a talk show on People's Television Network titled "Counterpoint with Secretary Salvador Panelo", produced by the Presidential Broadcast Staff - Radio Television Malacañang (RTVMalacañang).