Alvarez concedes to Arroyo, tells colleagues to ‘get back to work’

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Screenshot from RTVM video

Former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has conceded to Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday, urging his colleagues to “get back to work and move on.”

“We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly shape our future. The House of Representatives has chosen a new Speaker in the person of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” he said in a statement.

“Alang-alang sa bayan (For the sake of the nation), let us get back to work and move on,” the Davao del Norte, 1st District congressman added.

Arroyo made her return to power after 184 House members elected her as the new Speaker on Monday night, ending Alvarez’s two-year grip on the post.

READ: While Alvarez was making enemies, Arroyo was consolidating her forces

Alvarez’s statement also came moments after a shouting match between lawmakers erupted at the House plenary on Wednesday afternoon when Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas questioned the resolution electing Arroyo as Speaker.

Fariñas is an ally of Alvarez and was majority leader when the latter was the Speaker.

READ: Shouting match erupts as Fariñas questions reso electing Arroyo as Speaker

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