Duterte concerned over Alvarez's 'no-el' remarks — Palace
MANILA, Philippines — Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez' insistence on canceling the midterm elections next year might be one of the reasons why he was ousted as speaker, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte had shown concerns over the pronouncements Alvarez over a no-election scenario in relation to the shift to federalism.
"Even the president had problems with the call of the House Speaker on no-el, no elections and I noticed the president was visibly concerned about the pronouncements of the speaker," Roque said in a press briefing.
Roque added that Duterte had authorized him to relay that he would not have any hand in a no-election scenario.
The presidential spokesman, however, clarified that Duterte expressed concern over the no-election scenario and not about Alvarez himself.
"The president has always maintained that federalism should be accepted by the people on its own merits and has always said that he did not want to benefit from charter change," Roque said.
Roque also confirmed that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea had to mediate between Alvarez and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo due to a standoff on House speakership.
A manifesto expressing support for Arroyo was passed around after the House session was abruptly suspended on Monday. Right before Duterte was about to deliver his third State of the Nation Address, Arroyo took her oath of office as House speaker.
Alvarez, on the other hand, proceeded to sit beside Senate President Tito Sotto when Duterte delivered his SONA after a delay.
"Tempers were really flaring all over the place but they all had to behave because the president was around, of course," Roque said.
Despite the conflict between Alvarez and Arroyo, Roque maintained that Malacañang would not interfere with internal matters of the House.
"We are ready to work with the chosen leader of the House of Representatives and because Cong. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now the House speaker, we are of course able to work and ready to work with Speaker Arroyo," he said.
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