Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (left), Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (MANILA BULLETIN, Facebook)

Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez's recent call for President Marcos to resign and let Vice President Sara Duterte take over simply reflects his pro-China stance. 

Thus, said House Assistant Majority Leader Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong as he questioned Alvarez's true motive for making such appeal to the Chief Executive. 

“His call for President Marcos Jr. to resign reflects only his pro-China stance and not any true concern for the plight of fellow Filipinos,” Adiong said in a statement Sunday, March 31. 

“It’s transparent that Representative Alvarez is less concerned about national strategy and more focused on political maneuvering,” Adiong said of Alvarez, a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte and a former House Speaker. 

On Holy Wednesday, Alvarez advised Marcos to make the sacrifice "by voluntarily resigning from his position and turn over the functions of the presidency to the duly-elected Vice President in the person of VP Sara Duterte". 

This, as the Davao del Norte solon questioned Marcos' handling of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) sea issue with China. Alvarez cited the need for a more "pragmatic" stance when dealing with the regional power. 

The elder Duterte has close ties with Beijing, and is known for his pivot to China during his term. Alvarez was the Speaker during the first two years of his presidency. 

MUST READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/31/atat-na-atat-solon-says-vp-duterte-s-allies-shouldn-t-be-too-eager-for-her-to-take-over-palace

Adiong said that Alvarez’s suggested turnover of power “undermines the democratic process and disrespects the mandate given to President Marcos Jr. by the Filipino people". 

“We must question the motives behind such statements and recognize them for what they are: political strategies, not genuine concern for national welfare,” Adiong pointed out. 

He then urged for a focus on the best interests of the country in leadership and policy decisions, rather than succumbing to the political ambitions of a few individuals. 

“Our nation's leadership and policy decisions should be guided by the best interests of the Philippines, not by the political ambitions of a few,” Adiong concluded.