Ex-Speaker Alvarez resigns from PDP-Laban

MANILA, Philippines — Former Speaker and Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez has tendered his “irrevocable resignation” from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which is led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Alvarez served as the Secretary-General of the leading party for almost half a decade.

In a press release on Sunday, Alvarez said he resigned as Secretary General and member of the political party to “commit and pursue voter’s education campaign.”

“Unfortunately, serving as a ranking officer and member of PDP-Laban while simultaneously handling this advocacy may be misconstrued by critics as politicking by the Party presently in power,” the press release said.

Instead, he accepted the offer to lead as chairman and revive Reporma, a non-mainstream party not affiliated with any personality reportedly seeking the Presidency.

“This way, the voter’s education campaign can proceed, and rightly be perceived, as politically neutral without risking possible backlash against PDP-Laban,” the press release said.

Alvarez has thanked PDP-Laban’s President, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, adding that he “strongly appreciated” the party’s efforts in bringing to the attention of the nation the importance of empowering local governments as a prerequisite for a strong republic.

He thanked PDP-Laban for its support during the 2016 and 2019 elections. He added that “the Party’s assistance for those campaigns that led to historic electoral victories cannot be understated.”

JE