Alvarez eyes backing of colleagues in fresh speakership bid

Despite being removed from office in July last year, reelected Davao Del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez is expecting that many of his fellow lawmakers would support his planned return to the helm of the House of Representatives.

In a phone interview with reporters on Monday, Alvarez reiterated that he would be seeking anew the speakership at the lower chamber and vowed that he would once again push for the passage of several measures he proposed, including the death penalty, in the next Congress.

"I will give it a try," he said of his bid for the speakership.

"Kung suporta ang pag-uusapan natin, siyempre kanya-kanyang aspirant, may kanya-kanyang followers siya. Ako naman sa tingin ko, hindi ako magkukulang sa supporters," he added.

Alvarez served as the 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 Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

A manifesto to gather support for Arroyo was even passed around on that day, stressing the need "to support the Administration with a pro-active legislative agenda that will safeguard the nation's economic growth and secure the safety of our people."

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/661446/arroyo-for-speaker-manifesto-being-routed-among-house-members/story/

Alvarez admitted that he has not talked to Arroyo ever since her election to the speakership until today, though the two had a talk just two days after the leadership change.

The former Speaker also said he has yet to talk to President Rodrigo Duterte about his plans to seek the speakership anew.

But he said he intends to support the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration just like what he did during his first term as Speaker.

"Gusto kong makatulong doon sa last half ng administrasyon, kung ano yung mga hindi pa nagagawang programa ay gusto ko ring makatulong. Kagaya nung pagtulong ko sa first half ng ating administrasyon," Alvarez said.

"Personally, meron akong mga priorities pero siyempre, ang importante diyan, kung ano yung mga priorities na bills ng ating administrasyon kung saan maihahatid sa sambayanan yung kinakailangang serbisyo at kung ano man yung maitutulong sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa," he added.

Alvarez 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.

Asked if he sees any advantage over his possible opponents, Alvarez said: "Pare-pareho naman kami diyan. Pare-pareho naman kaming may karanasan."

"Yung ibang aspirants ay naging congressman na rin nang ilang termino. So tingin ko naman, kayang-kaya siguro yung trabaho," he added. —LDF, GMA News