DAVAO del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez will face the House committee on ethics to personally answer the complaint filed against him for disorderly conduct for urging the military to withdraw support from President Marcos Jr. last month.
The former speaker said he filed an answer to the complaint yesterday morning and he intends to attend the panel’s next hearing, which is scheduled on Thursday.
Earlier yesterday, panel vice chair Rep. Angelo Bongalon (PL, Ako Bicol), said Alvarez had yet to file an answer as of Sunday night.
The ethics committee, chaired by Rep. Felimon Espares (PL, Coop Natcco), on May 3 gave the former speaker 10 days to answer the complaint filed by Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, which the panel found to be sufficient in form and content. Alvarez was informed of the panel’s decision by registered mail and through his office’s official e-mail.
Bongalon said whatever sanction the committee will recommend – from a simple reprimand to expulsion – will have to be voted upon by the plenary which has the power to affirm or reverse it.
The former speaker has already apologized for his call but insisted there was nothing seditious in his outburst, saying he made it clear that the military can do it peacefully.
The complaint, which also accuses Alvarez of conduct unbecoming of a public official, also cited as grounds his alleged libelous remarks against fellow local officials and his habitual absence in Congress.
Alvarez, in a rally in Tagum City in April 14, urged the AFP to withdraw support from Marcos amid the rising tension between the Philippines and China in connection with the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
If the military withdraws support, Marcos will be forced to step down as President and Vice President Sara Duterte, who has remained silent on Beijing’s bullying of Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea, will take over.
Alvarez is an ally of pro-China former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sara.
