Alvarez: Complaint vs. Floirendo not connected to ‘girlfriends’ spat

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday denied that he filed charges against Davao del Norte Second District Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo because of an alleged spat between their “girlfriends.”

Alvarez dismissed the said allegation as a “PR slant,” saying the quarrel between their female companions should not be linked to the graft complaint he filed against his colleague with the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Hindi po ‘yan ano... ibang slant na po ibinibigay diyan,” he said in a radio interview. “Ang sa akin, tingnan natin kung tama ba o mali? Talo ba ang gobyerno o hindi? Tingnan natin ‘yung demanda sa Ombudsman.”

The show’s host clarified if Alvarez was saying that the fight between the women should be seen separately from the said complaint. The Speaker answered in the affirmative.

“Opo, opo. Tingnan natin nang hiwalay [‘yung away nila],” he said.

Both Davao del Norte representatives are allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, with Floirendo named as the former Davao City mayor's biggest contributor during the campaign.

Alvarez is married to Emelita Apostol, his second wife, who currently heads the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc., an organization of lawmakers’ spouses involved in socio-civic and developmental initiatives. 

Recently, the Speaker said he wanted to move the organization out of the premises of the House of Representatives, to give its office space to other lawmakers. Emelita said she supports this.

Floirendo, meanwhile, is separated from his wife, Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran. 

In his graft complaint, the Speaker accused Floirendo of having “financial and pecuniary interest” over the Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO)—one of a largest banana plantations in the world—and the Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (ANFLOCOR).

Alvarez is also calling for a House inquiry on the joint venture between TADECO and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). 

Floirendo has said he was “hurt” over Alvarez’s allegations, but said he was “ready to face” the said complaint “with a clean conscience.” He also maintained that he still considered the Speaker a friend.

He likewise denied rumors that he was leading a plot to oust Alvarez from the speakership, supposedly to clear the seat for former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

For his part, Alvarez said he was ready to lose the speakership “anytime.” — MDM, GMA News