After ouster, Alvarez reaffirms ties with PDP-Laban partymates

Ousted Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday said he understood the decision of some Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) lawmakers to support the rise to Speakership of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“I perfectly understand the decision. Let’s separate friendship from politics,” Alvarez told congressmen present at a PDP-Laban meeting in Quezon City.

Alvarez reaffirmed his friendship with his partymates as he called for greater support for PDP-Laban amid internal conflict.

“Hinihiling ko sa inyo nasa magkaisa tayo at lalo nating patibayin ang ating partido,” he said.

He also called on PDP-Laban to remain supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte, the party’s chairman.

“The success of the Duterte administration is the success of PDP-Laban,” Alvarez said.  /vvp