Alvarez on winning Sara Duterte's support in Speakership bid: 'I will try my best'

Reelected Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday said he will try his best to get the support of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in his bid for Speakership in the 18th Congress.

"I will try my best," Alvarez told Unang Balita when asked if he would work to win the support of Sara Duterte, President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, in his bid to become overall leader of the House of Representatives.

Alvarez was Speaker of the first two Regular Sessions of the 17th Congress, until incumbent Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was elected on July 23, 2018, the same day that President Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address.

It was widely speculated that Sara Duterte had a hand in Alvarez's removal and Arroyo's installation as House Speaker.

Alvarez, during the interview, refused to speak about his ouster, calling it "water under the bridge."

"Water under the bridge," he said. "Huwag na natin pag usapan. Let's look forward." 

Alvarez said his goal to become Speaker again is driven by his intention to help the administration push for its legislative agenda on the second half of President Duterte's term.

"Gusto ko makatulong sa ating administrasyon, na itong second half ng Duterte administration ay may mga legislative agenda pa na nakabinbin at kailangan aprurbahan. Tutulong po tayo," he said.

Alvarez expressed confidence that he has the support of his colleagues. "Kung dito lang sa House of Representatives palagay ko naman ay meron tayo (suporta)," he said.

The Davao del Norte lawmaker is expect to go head-to-head with other lawmakers who are vying for the speakership, including newly-elected Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano, Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.

"Lahat ng lumalabas na pangalan ay magagaling at malalakas," Alvarez said. —KBK, GMA News