Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo rode the jeepney anew but this time, to see for himself if heath protocols against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are being followed in public transport.

Photos sent by a fellow commuter to the Manila Bulletin (MB) on Sunday morning showed Panelo wearing a white shirt and denim pants inside a passenger jeepney. He was photographed seated near the entrance using his phone while wearing a face mask and a face shield.

The source told MB that the Palace official was on his way to Agora Public Market in San Juan City and decided to take the public utility jeepney to see for himself if health protocols are being followed inside public transportation.

At the San Juan market, Panelo was seen in front of seafood stalls, looking at crabs, fish, and shrimps.

This was not the first time Panelo took a jeepney ride during his stint in Malacañang. On October 11, 2019, made true his promise to commute alone from New Manila to Malacañang after being challenged by militant groups following his controversial statement about there being no mass transport 'crisis' in Metro Manila.

Panelo, back then, made four jeepney rides before riding a motorcycle to take him to Malacañang's New Executive Building. He arrived at the Palace at 8:46 a.m.

In 2019, Panelo said that he has no problems with commuting, saying there were times he was left with no choice but to hail a cab.

"Ang driver ko minsan nakakatulog, hinahanap mo wala na. So ano gagawin mo? Oh, 'di magko-commute ka na lang (My driver sometimes falls asleep and I cannot contact him. So what will you do? You'll commute then), he said.

"Either mag-taxi ka or mag-jeep ka papunta sa lugar na may taxi. So, ordinaryo yun. Hindi problema sa akin ang pag-commute (Either you take a cab or ride a jeepney to a place where you can grab a taxi. That's ordinary to me. I have no problem with commuting)," he added.

Panelo then said his critics probably did not know him when they dared him to ride the public transportation without a security detail.

"Kayo ba nakita niyo na ba akong may (Have you ever seen me with a) security ever since I assumed office in the government? None," he said.

"Kahit sa mga biyahe ko abroad wala rin akong kasama. Zero din ako. Punta ka sa mall, makikita mo akong mag-isa lumalakad. Kahit saan nag-iisa ako parati (Even when I am abroad, I have no securtiy. When you see me at the mall, you'll see me walking alone. I am always by myself anywhere)," he added.