House ethics panel has 'unanimous' recommendation on complaint vs. Alvarez

The House committee on ethics and privileges said it has come up with a recommendation on the complaint filed against former House Speaker and now Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

This was confirmed by ethics committee panel vice chairman Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, according to Isa Umali’s report on Super Radyo dzBB on Tuesday. 

Bongalon said that the vote was "unanimous" but did not disclose details of the recommendation. 

According to House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, who is also the chairman of the Rules committee, the plenary will take action once the committee report is submitted to his office.

Alvarez is facing a complaint of "disorderly conduct" filed by Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy.

The complaint stems from Alvarez's supposed libelous remarks against Davao del Norte officials and making alleged seditious statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr during a rally in Tagum City.

During the rally, Alvarez appealed to the military to withdraw support from Marcos as he talked about the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea.

"Nakikiusap ako sa inyo. We don't have to hurt each other. We don't have to fire a single shot. Simple lang, sa mapayapang paraan. Please withdraw your support to the Chief Executive," he said.

(I am appealing to you. We don't have to hurt each other. We don't have to fire a single shot. It’s simple, in a peaceful way. Please withdraw your support to the Chief Executive.)

Alvarez previously said that his statements were protected by the constitutional right to free expression.

"Paano naging seditious o disorderly conduct 'yung sinabi ko eh peaceful nga at orderly. Meron dissatisfaction sa AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)," said Alvarez back in April.

(How is my statement considered seditious or disorderly when it was peaceful and orderly? There's dissatisfaction in the AFP.)

House ethics panel chairperson Felimon Espares of COOP-NATCCO party-list said last week that it will not discuss whether Alvarez committed sedition or incitement to sedition in making the statements during the rallies since the committee does not have jurisdiction on criminal cases. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/ VAL, GMA Integrated News