By Junex Doronio

MANILA — “Think before you speak.”

The line above should have reminded former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s staunch political ally and incumbent Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez when he had called for the withdrawal of support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Aside from the “seditious utterances,” the complainants from Davao del Norte, led by Rey Uy, have also accused Alvarez of violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials, as well as committing disorderly behavior and conduct unbecoming of a public official for allegedly making libelous remarks against his fellow local officials and habitual absences in the House of Representatives proceedings.

“As of last night (12 May 2024), we are yet to receive an answer from former Speaker Alvarez,” House ethics and privileges panel chairperson Jill Bongalon of Ako Bicol party-list said in a press conference.

When asked about the possible penalties for Alvarez, Bongalon said that under House rules, a lawmaker found guilty of an ethics case may face the following: admonition, reprimand, censure, 60 calendar days suspension, expulsion, or any other penalty that the committee may recommend.

“The findings of the ethics committee…is just recommendatory. The House [members in] plenary will vote to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the committee, whatever it is,” Bongalon said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Stressing that there’s no politics behind the move of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to acquire jurisdiction of the complaint filed against Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez, committee chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon has explained that the panel has to act on the complaint filed by Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy.

During the initial deliberation on Thursday (2 May 2024), Bongalon said the committee acquired jurisdiction of the complaint after concluding that it is sufficient in form and substance.

“Well, gusto ko lang po linawin that this complaint started because a case was filed against him. So, the Committee on Ethics has to act on the complaint filed,” Bongalon clarified.

“So, wala hong politika rito. Nagkataon po na inire-reklamo ang ating kasamahan sa Kongreso ngayon. And the committee has to act on it,” he quipped.

Alvarez was accused of “continued and unjustified absences” in the committee meetings and plenary session of the House; of making “libelous remarks” against co-government officials like the Vice Governor of Davao del Norte and other local officials in the area.

The former Speaker was also charged of making seditious remarks during a rally last month when he called on the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw their support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Following the daring call by former Speaker and now Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez to the military to withdraw support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday (15 April 2024) stood firm that they will stand by the 1987 Constitution and follow the chain of command.

Their reaffirmation of loyalty has clearly repudiated Alvarez who has raised the issue of getting into war with China over the West Philippine Sea and he said the military as “protector of the Filipino people” could avoid it by withdrawing support from Marcos Jr.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla undescored that the military “reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, loyalty to the Constitution, and strict adherence to the Chain of Command.”

“Our soldiers, pilots, sailors, and marines remain dedicated to our mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, regardless of any political affiliations or individuals in authority,” Padilla stressed.

On the other hand, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said during a press conference that at present, there is no basis to withdraw support from duly constituted authorities.

“On the part of the PNP, we have the Constitution at ang aming loyatly ay nasa kababayan po. Let us spare our uniformed personnel sa mga ganitong usaping politikal,” Fajardo declared.

On Sunday (14 April 2024), speaking before a rally in Tagum City with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Alvarez appealed to the military to withdraw support from Marcos Jr.

“Nakikiusap ako sa inyo. We don’t have to hurt each other. We don’t have to fire a single shot. Simple lang, sa mapayapang paraan. Please withdraw your support to the Chief Executive,” Alvarez said.

He then raised the prospect of having war with China.

“Kapag sumabog ang gulo sa WPS (West Philippine Sea), there will be countless of dead bodies. There would be unimaginable destruction, famine, hunger, mangyayari po ‘yan,” Alvarez said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Describing the Philippines as a “sinking ship”, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez has blatantly contradicted President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for saying the movement was doomed to fail.

The Davao lawmaker who has buried the hatchet with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte claimed on Friday (February 9) that they were mobilizing a “peaceful and orderly advocacy campaign” for Mindanao’s “independence”.

“What we intend to do is resort to reason and tap the peaceful and common aspirations of the Mindanaoan people. Legitimate and lawful exercise yan ng aming constitutional rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and organization,” Alvarez said.

He stood pat that their “movement” was contrary to claims that what they were doing was “seditious.”

On Thursday (February 8), the President openly rejected the calls for a separate Mindanao and urged its proponents to stop.

“The new call for a separate Mindanao is doomed to fail for it is anchored on a false premise, not to mention a sheer constitutional travesty… I strongly appeal to all concerned to stop this call for a separate Mindanao,” Marcos Jr. said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — It seems that old friends former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and ex-Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez have buried the hatchet with the emergence of a new movement that seeks for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines.

If Mindanao successfully secedes, it will bar the International Criminal Court (ICC) from arresting the former Chief Executive and his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte for alleged “crimes against humanity” due to the extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the course of the former chief executive’s bloody anti-illegal drugs campaign.

This possibility loomed as Alvarez on Wednesday revealed plans to match the ongoing initiative with their signature drive for Mindanao’s independence from the Philippines.

“Puwede yun kasi ibang bansa na ‘yan eh. Ibang bansa na, Wala naman kaming ugnayan sa ICC o kung saan pa dahil panibagong bansa yan,” Alvarez stressed.

He blamed Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for reviving the idea of secession due to the ongoing people’s initiative (PI) supposedly launched by Romualdez and the defunding of projects in Mindanao.

“Ako lang, dito sa distrito ko, ang laki po ng tinanggal na mga infrastructure projects… It seems na wala na talagang pag-asa para maayos itong aming lugar dito sa Mindanao,” Alvarez disclosed.

To recall, Alvarez and the elder Duterte had a falling out when the former was stripped of his post as House Speaker due to the reported maneuver of then-presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

On July 23, 2018, Alvarez was ousted as Speaker and replaced by Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was widely known as Inday Sara’s political mentor.

Seemingly, Alvarez has reconciled with the Dutertes.

“You can set us free and let us chart our destiny,” Alvarez said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Saying he’s only waiting for the right time to file a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the legality of the ongoing people’s initiative (PI) drive, former Speaker and Davao del Norte’s 1st district Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez on Thursday (25 Jan 2024)  tagged Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez as the one behind the movement to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio argued that the PI, one of three ways to revise the constitution, can only introduce amendments — not revisions — to the charter.

Romualdez on Monday (January 22) denied issuing a directive to push for Charter change Cha-Cha) via PI even as Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said barangay officials are allowed to participate in the signature campaign that seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“Wala namang kriminal na umaamin eh. Di-deny yan hangga’t pwedeng i-deny. Siyempre ako naman bilang isang abogado nangangalap din ng mga ebidensya habang ginagawa nila yung mga pagpapapirma, dino-document ko rin para pagdating ng oras,” Alvarez mantained.

On Wednesday (January 24), Albay Rep. Joey Salceda claimed that enough signatures have been obtained for the PI.

But Alvarez alleged that most voters signed the people’s initiative forms because “money was involved.”

“Dahil may pinamimigay na pera, pinakamaliit diyan P5,000 kasi yun naman talaga yung AICS… Eh siyempre yung tao willing pumirma dahil gutom yung tao, ang hirap ng buhay,” Alvarez said.

The former Speaker said he is just waiting for the right time to file a case before the SC.

“Ita-timing natin kung kailan tama yung pag-file. Hindi naman pwedeng maagang-maaga kasi baka mamaya sabihin naman ng Supreme Court, pwede nilang i-dismiss yun dahil sabihin nilang not ripe for adjudication,” he explained.

(el Amigo/MNM)