Alvarez thanks Duterte for defending him amid 'girlfriend' issue

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for defending him from criticisms caused by his admission that he has a relationship outside his marriage.

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pangulo. Talaga namang hindi isyu 'yun. Ang isyu rito 'yung katiwalian, korapsyon ang isyu," Alvarez said in a report on 24 Oras.

Duterte has branded those criticizing Alvarez for having a relationship outside of marriage as "hyprocrites," saying it is not unusual for lawmakers to enter into multiple relationships — an admission that did not sit well with pro-women groups.

In the 24 Oras report, Alvarez also expressed gratitude to the President for trusting him as leader of the House of Representatives.

Alvarez, a known Duterte ally, has admitted that he and wife Emelita are already separated, and that he fathered other children outside their marriage.

The issue came to light amid Alvarez's rift with Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio "Tonyboy" Floirendo Jr., the subject of a graft complaint the Speaker filed recently. Alvarez has denied that their rift was connected with the quarrel between their respective girlfriends.

Floirendo's partner, Cathy Binag, has identified Alvarez's girlfriend as Jennifer Maliwanag Vicencio, with whom she had an altercation at the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City last year.

Talks of disbarment have surfaced since Alvarez admitted that he has a girlfriend.

Alvarez just laughed off the issue, the 24 Oras report said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News