HOUSE CENSURES ALVAREZ
INSTEAD of suspension, the House of Representatives moved to censure Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for violating the code of conduct
About 186 members voted in favor of the censure, five are against and seven abstained.
Originally, the House committee on ethics and privileges proposed a 60-day suspension but Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and Northern Samar Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza appealed for lesser punishment.
The move effectively amended Committee Report 1103, submitted by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares.
As explained by Romualdo, censure is a formal reprimand or a public statement of the House of Representatives of its disapproval of the conduct of Alvarez.
“This approach fosters a more constructive and rehabilitative outcome allowing Rep. Alvarez to make amends and, in the future, be more circumspect in making statements in public,” Romualdo said.
Moreover, Daza argued that censure serves as a sufficient measure to address the misbehavior without excessively affecting Alvarez’s obligation to serve his constituents.
Espares said the 60-day suspension is merely a recommendation of the panel and will adhere to the will of the majority.
The decision stemmed from the case filed by Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy et al, against Alvarez for disorderly behavior and gross neglect of duties in violation of the code of conduct of the House of Representatives.
During the Maisug rally in April, Alvarez r called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to withdraw their support for the Marcos administration. Also present during that rally was former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Earlier, Alvarez apologized which apparently stemmed from his disagreements with how the government is approaching the situation in the West Philippine Sea.
