DAVAO del Norte Representative Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez, the presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s pick for Speaker, defended the political bigwigs who defected to the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which is poised to become the ruling party.
In an interview after his meeting with the northern Luzon bloc lawmakers Wednesday afternoon, Alvarez said he would rather not call the newly minted PDP-Laban members as “balimbings” or political butterflies.
Alvarez said these newest members of the PDP-Laban – most of them leading the exodus from the outgoing administration’s Liberal Party (LP) – only wanted to join the Duterte bandwagon’s “coalition for change” in the House of Representatives.
“Alam natin lahat ng layunin ng ating Pangulo to institute meaningful change sa ating bansa. Yung pagbabago na sinabi niya nung kampanya, at kung kinakailangan natin ng suporta ng mga kongresista, para sa akin, hindi ko naman tinitingnan itong balimbing, kundi pagmamahal sa bayan,” Alvarez said.
“Kasi kung naniniwala ka sa programa ng Pangulo, sumusuporta ka, walang ibang layunin kundi para sa kabutihan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Tinitingnan ko itong pagmamahal sa bayan,” he added.
Flurry of oath-takings
In the afternoon, Alvarez himself led the oath-taking of three LP lawmakers from the northern Luzon bloc in the House who joined the PDP-Laban – Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos and Pangasinan Rep. Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas.
Alvarez was also able to get the support of some 22 lawmakers from the so-called “Northern Alliance” in the chamber, among them Singson, Ilocos Norte Rep. Rudy Farinas, and even Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, the widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
READ: Alvarez wins support of Northern bloc in Congress
Former LP stalwart Farinas, who earlier took his oath as new PDP-Laban member, was chosen by Alvarez as his majority floor leader in the House.
In the morning, Alvarez administered the oath-taking of the following lawmakers jumping from the LP to PDP-Laban: Caloocan Rep. Along Malapitan, Cavite 3rd district Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrelita “Ging” Suansing.
Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, who lost his Senate bid, was present for the oath-taking of his brother Bambol.
Earlier, the new PDP-Laban members who took their oath were Quezon City Rep. Bingbong Crisologo (from the United Nationalist Alliance), Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval (from the Nationalist People’s Coalition), South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez (Nationalist People’s Coalition) and Palawan Rep. Chicoy Alvarez (National Unity Party).
They are the latest to join the exodus of politicians to the Duterte camp. Without giving out names, Alvarez said he has counted at least 15 LP members who took their oath as new PDP-Laban members.
READ: Juicy posts for LP turncoats
Alvarez said with Duterte’s overwhelming number of votes in the recently concluded presidential elections, it was not difficult for him to invite lawmakers to his side as members of the majority or join the PDP-Laban.
“With the President na may malaking mandato sa eleksyon, hindi mahirap na mag-imbita ng mga kongresista na sumuporta sa programa ng ating Pangulo,” he said.
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Alvarez said he was hoping that LP members would join the PDP-Laban, adding that the request of outgoing Speaker and LP vice chair Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for LP members to remain with the party despite joining the majority would not look good.
“It’s a bit awkward na mayroong minority na Liberal Party at saka mayroon ring majority… I would prefer those who wanted to join the majority will either join the PDP-Laban and other political parties in coalition with PDP Laban in the majority,” Alvarez said.
“I am just inviting them. I’m only expressing my view that it would be best if they join the PDP Laban,” he added.
As a candidate for Speaker who is expected to lose to Alvarez, Belmonte is bent on leading the minority in the House.
Alvarez has said he has secured 180 lawmakers to propel him to the Speakership, although his ally newly elected 1-Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero claimed Alvarez has the “super majority” or as much as 260 allies in the 290-strong House of Representatives.
READ: Alvarez cements ‘super majority’ in Congress