Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Saturday belittled the reported threat to oust him from office, even as he expressed confidence over the continuing support of the majority coalition to his leadership.
Alvarez also said he is not bothered by his admission of having a mistress, as he never allows the issue to affect his performance as a public servant.
The representative of the first district of Davao del Norte said it was never his ambition to become Speaker.
“I never aspire for this [Speakership] position, so anytime I can let it go,” Alvarez said in a radio interview.
He also said he was just being honest and straightforward to have admitted an extramarital relationship, since he was asked about it.
“It is better to tell the truth than getting entangled in a web of lies,” Alvarez said, as he maintained he is ready to face all charges to be filed against him for admitting his liaisons.
Malacañang has said it would not interfere in the ongoing row between Alvarez and Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr., saying it was their business.
Alvarez and Floirendo are both known allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The quarrel between the lawmakers reportedly started over suspicions that Floirendo was leading a plot to oust Alvarez as Speaker, and to replace him with former President and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Floirendo has denied being part of any plot. He said he is “ready to face” the graft charges, but called on Alvarez to meet with him to settle the issue “like gentlemen.”
“The Palace will allow them to settle it privately between themselves,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said when asked if the row could impede the progress of Duterte’s legislative agenda.
Their rift became public after Alvarez filed a graft complaint against Floirendo before the Office of the Ombudsman, over what he said was an anomalous contract between his company, Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. and the Bureau of Corrections for land used by his banana plantation inside the Davao Penal Colony.
Reports also said their row started with a fight between Floirendo’s live-in partner, Cathy Binag, and Alvarez’s girlfriend, Jennifer Maliwanag Vicencio.
Reps. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque and Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, meanwhile, said they see no need for Alvarez to take a leave of absence to concentrate on his problems.
Alvarez’s critics gave the Speaker some unsolicited advice—to take a leave of absence while the issue about having a mistress is simmering and to turn over the Speakership to House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.
“I don’t think there is a need for him to take a leave of absence. I think he can very well handle all the issues confronting him, and personal issues should not be mixed up with issues affecting national interests,” Evardone said.
Tambunting said: “While public figures must project propriety at all times, there is space to allow a person to address matters, which are purely personal. We don’t think the current issues regarding the Speaker, deeply personal as they are, should color or impede his mandate as Speaker of the House.”
Albano said there is no case being filed yet against Alvarez.
The minority bloc in the House of Representatives has said it is considering filing an ethics complaint against Alvarez, who admitted he had a mistress.
“That is something we in the minority bloc will discuss,” Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said.
Alejano, who filed an impeachment complaint against President Duterte, said that Alvarez’s admission gave the House a bad name.
“His forthrightness does not equate to what is right and proper. His actions placed the image of his office and the institution he represents in a bad light which is not a good example or something worthy of emulation, especially of our youth,” Alejano said.
But should Alejano or anybody decides to file a case against the Speaker, IBP president Rosario Setias-Reyes said the organization would accord Alvarez due process.
“If someone should file a complaint against Congressman Alvarez, he will, of course, be granted the full measure of his right to due process but these shall be the same standards against which his actions shall be measured,” the statement read.
The IBP added that lawyers are held to a “higher” standard than most which are enforced by the Supreme Court and the lawyers’ organization.
“The IBP has always and shall always maintain the highest standards of morality, behavior and professionalism among its members,” it said.
Alvarez has found an ally in Isabela. Rep. Rodolfo Albano, who said he saw nothing wrong with the Speaker having a mistress.
“Speaker Alvarez and his wife are separated already. It is an open secret,” Albano said.
On Friday, Malacañang fended off suggestions that the President had a double standard on extramarital affairs, condemning Senator Leila de Lima for her affair with her married driver and alleged bagman, while remaining silent about Alvarez.
“I think it is not a question of being double standard. The fact remains that the relationship of the senator has something to do with the crime with which she has been accused of,” said Abella.