Tagum mayor wants Alvarez expelled from House of Representatives

Tagum Mayor Rey Uy talks to the media on the sidelines of the House committee on ethics and privileges hearing of the complaints filed against Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez at the south wing of the Batasang Pambansa complex on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Gabriel P. Lalu/ INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Tagum Mayor Rey Uy believes Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez should be expelled from the House of Representatives over his anti-government remarks.

In an ambush interview on Thursday, on the sidelines of the House committee on ethics and privileges hearing, Uy said Alvarez’s call for the police and military to withdraw their support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration was “too much” and should not be disguised as part of freedom of expression or free speech.

The House panel discussed several complaints against Alvarez when Uy was interviewed at the south wing of the Batasang Pambansa complex.  One of the complaints being heard came from the Tagum mayor.

READ: Amid ethics charge vs Alvarez, Abante asks solons: Be careful with words

“Alam ninyo ‘yong nangyaring rally ng Maisug? Si Congressman Alvarez, during the rally, pinag-withdraw ng support ‘yong PNP (Philippine National Police), military, Army, kay Presidente Marcos. To us, that’s unacceptable,” the local chief executive told reporters.

(You know the Maisug rally? Congressman Alvarez, during the rally, called on the PNP, military, and Army to withdraw their support to President Marcos. To us, that’s unacceptable.)

“‘Yong sa complaint namin, for his expulsion. Yeah, because that’s too much, ‘wag nating gagawin ‘yong freedom of expression na mas que ano na lang ang i-sabi natin sa mga kapwa nating mga official. Freedom of expression is not absolute, kaya may batas tayong libel eh, hindi ka basta-bastang mag-mura na lang dito mas que sino. Ngayon sabi mo freedom of speech?” he asked.

(In our complaint, we seek his expulsion. Yeah, because that’s too much, let us not use the freedom of expression to the point where we just say anything that we want to tell other officials. Freedom of expression is not absolute, that’s why we have a law on libel, you cannot just curse at anyone here. Then, now you would say it’s freedom of speech?)

READ: Alvarez says Marcos support withdrawal call is not seditious

According to Uy, he and Alvarez used to be best friends, but he cannot bear letting the former speaker go on with his tirades.

“You know Congressman Alvarez, we’re best of friends.  There is no politics here, it’s only work. I’ve been in politics since 1988. Yeah, since 1988, I have not cursed anyone, I respect all my colleagues, I respect my co-public officials,” the mayor said.

“But it is too much, he has said a lot of things, but we public officials, we have to have that high respect even to those barangay kagawads, those purok officials, we should not hide behind freedom of speech,” he added.

On May 3, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said the House committee on ethics and privileges found the complaints against Alvarez to be sufficient in form.

Bongalon, the vice chairperson of the panel, said the complaints against Alvarez were filed for three reasons: alleged habitual absences, statements against Davao del Norte officials and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, and seditious remarks that the former speaker mentioned in a rally.

Alvarez has been critical of President Marcos’ stance regarding the West Philippine Sea, telling the Chief Executive that he should focus on domestic problems like food, illegal drugs, and armed insurgency.

But recently, the former speaker stepped up his criticism of Marcos, now asking the president to resign if he would supposedly drag the Philippines into a conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Alvarez also urged members of the military to withdraw support from Marcos, whose defense officials believe was an act of sedition.

Uy maintained that he acted on his own accord, and was supported by some Tagum officials in filing the complaint against Alvarez.

“That’s my own decision. In fact my councilors, my barangay captains, I told them that I’m going to file a complaint against Congressman Alvarez. (I told them) It’s up to you if you will join me. Many joined, among councilors I think six, I have eight city councilors. Then barangay captains, 15 po,” he said.