Davao del Norte First District Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez has filed his certificate of candidacy for reelection as congressman Monday, Oct. 4, before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office in the province.
This is the third and final term of Alvarez, who is running under Partido Reporma.
He was elected as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2016 when he again ran as congressman of Davao del Norte's first district. He gained a landslide victory in the 2019 national election after receiving more than 164,000 votes.
Alvarez, who became chairman of Partido Reporma after former Department of Defense (DND) Secretary Renato de Villa turned over the party leadership to him last year, is currently the party president.
He won his first stint as congressman of Davao del Norte's first district in 1998 and served as vice-chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication and a member of nine other congressional committees.
After his term in the Lower House, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him as acting Secretary of Transportation and Communications from January 2001 to July 2002.
Among Alvarez's notable legislative proposals is House Bill No. 2263 which is titled "An Act Instituting Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines". The said bill seeks to legalize absolute divorce in the country.
Alvarez said that he will continue to address issues on corruption and inequality, and expanding opportunities and lifting people out of poverty.
Known as a strong and consistent champion of empowering local governments, Alvarez also backs Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s BRAVE Bill which seeks to increase the share of localities in the government funds and empower people by allowing more participation on their part in the budget process.
As Reporma’s president, Alvarez has given his support to Lacson’s Presidential candidacy. Lacson is currently the chairman of Partido Reporma.
The former House Speaker also supports Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto's bid to run as Vice President. (MELVIN SARANGAY)