House ethics panel finds complaints vs Alvarez ‘sufficient in form’

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives committee on ethics and privileges has found the complaints against former Speaker and incumbent Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to be sufficient form and content, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Bongalon said the panel discussed the complaints against Alvarez filed by private citizens for three reasons — alleged habitual absences, statements against Davao del Norte officials and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, and supposedly seditious remarks that the former Speaker mentioned in a rally.

“So there are three grounds where the complaints against Congressman Alvarez are based. Number one is the absences. Number two, the libelous utterances or statements made by Congressman Alvarez against his public officials in Davao del Norte, including to Special Assistant to the President Lagdameo. And number three, the seditious remarks or utterances made by Congressman Alvarez in one of the public rallies in Davao del Norte,” Bongalon said.

“Well, basically, yesterday we had the initial consideration of the complaint. And when we speak of initial consideration, the committee has to determine whether or not the complaint filed is sufficient in form and in content. And the result is that the committee unanimously found that the complaint is sufficient in form and content,” he added.

The complaints against Alvarez were part of the House’s calendar of activities for Thursday.  However, the meeting was conducted virtually and not streamed on the House’s social media accounts.

Alvarez has been critical of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), 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 WPS.

Recently, he also urged members of the military to withdraw their support of Marcos, which defense officials believe was an act of sedition.

READ: Alvarez may be delisted as Marine reservist after Marcos ouster call

However, Alvarez said such a call was not seditious because it was done in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Bongalon clarified that the actions taken by the committee are not politically-motivated, because the panel is mandated to respond to comments.

“Well, I want to clarify that this complaint started because a case was filed against him. So, the committee on ethics has to act on the complaint filed.  So, there is no politics in play here.  It just so happened that one of our colleagues in Congress faces complaints, and the committee has to act on it.  And whether or not there’s a merit on the case, I think it is still premature,” he said.

“This has no politics involved.  You mentioned a while ago that Congressman Alvarez is a close ally of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.  But I guess that is immaterial in this case,” he added.

Bongalon said he was not sure if Alvarez had already received their directive for the lawmaker to respond, but the former Speaker would be given 10 days from receipt of the paper to respond.