Alvarez pushes federalism

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Photo by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez jokingly referred to President Duterte as “gago” (idiot) in a speech before new recruits of the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party in Bataan province on Thursday.

While making a pitch for federalism in Balanga City, the Speaker, who has a penchant for outrageous comments, said only someone as idiotic like Mr. Duterte would have the wherewithal to push for a system of government that would decrease rather than increase his powers.

In a speech in Filipino, Alvarez, a close friend of the President, repeatedly called Mr. Duterte “gago,” to the apparent delight of the crowd, who applauded him.

“Right now, [the] power is concentrated in the President. Everything is with the President. In a federal setup, not anymore,” Alvarez said.

He said it would be stupid for Mr. Duterte to give up that power, but he was ready to do it.

“Why? To my knowledge, there is only one idiot President who agrees to a federal form of government,” Alvarez said. “And that is President Rodrigo Duterte. So let us all support him,” said the Speaker.

Alvarez has been visiting many places around the country to administer the oath-taking of new members of PDP-Laban.