Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez is standing behind Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments Chairman Senator Robin Padilla, amid the latter’s push for Charter change (Cha-cha). In a statement Tuesday, March 21, Alvarez shared the assurance that he gave actor-turned-senator Padilla when they were together at a recent consultative session on Cha-cha in Baguio City. “Mr. Chairman, kung kailangan, sasamahan kita hanggang impyerno (If needed, I will accompany you to gates of hell),” he said of Padilla, who is a Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) stalwart. Alvarez was PDP-Laban Secretary General before resigning in November 2020. He is currently concurrent chairman and president of Partido Reporma. He and Senator Padilla pushed for constitutional reforms, including the switch to federalism, during the administration of former president Rodrgo Duterte. Alvarez served as House Speaker during the first two years of the Duterte administration. Alvarez and Padilla were together last March 9, 2023 in Baguio City for a consultative session with stakeholders about the benefits of revisions of the 1987 Constitution. While supportive of the proposal to amend the Charter’s restrictive economic provisions--which has been the main thrust of congressmen this 19th Congress--Alvarez called for an overhaul and revision of the 1987 Constitution. He echoed once more the need to shift from a unitary to a federal form of government, calling it the key to unlocking the general welfare of the people. “Sana kung meron mang magtulak ng pagbabago ng Saligang Batas, sana wala nang iba kundi ang kapakanan ng taong bayan (If there will ever be someone who will push for Charter change, may it be for the sake of the people)," Alvarez said.