Mindanao execs back Alvarez

DAVAO CITY – Beleaguered Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez is getting strong support from various sectors in Mindanao as he faces rough sailing before the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).

The Mindanao Business Council (MBC) has called on the CA to confirm Alvarez, saying that he has been doing his job effectively in the past 11 months.

"Alvarez is effective in championing the voice of Mindanao, especially in prioritizing projects that are needed for the island’s sustainable peace and development," said MBC chairwoman Joji Ilagan-Bian.

The Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) also threw its support behind Alvarez who is reportedly responsible for various vital infrastructure projects in Mindanao.

"Secretary Alvarez is a native son of Davao and Mindanao, so Davao and Mindanao should know better, not the ill-motivated vested interest groups, not the spin doctors who want to project him as somebody like them," Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.

Duterte said Mindanaoans have been bothered by the efforts of certain interest groups in swaying the CA into bypassing the appointment of Alvarez.

Jesus Ayala, chairman of the Southern Mindanao Regional Development Council, also expressed his support for Alvarez whom, he said, he knows very well as a capable leader qualified as secretary of transportation and communications.

"We really go for Alvarez because we know him so well and we know he can do the job," Ayala said.

Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza said Alvarez is a dynamic, efficient and honest public official who deserves the DOTC post.

Duterte said there is a need for Mindanaoans to speak their minds out against the vilification campaign against Alvarez. — Edith Regalado