Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Camiguin lone district Rep. Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo  (Facebook, PPAB)

Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez is invoking "free speech" for his recent “seditious” remarks as a way to avoid prosecution, says Camiguin lone district Rep. Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo.

“Huwag na po tayong magpalusot (Let’s not make excuses). The former Speaker very well knows that free speech is not absolute,” Romualdo said in a statement on Wednesday, April 17.

“One cannot make a seditious call or a libelous statement without facing the consequences,” he added.

Romualdo gave this comment following the announcement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that it would investigate Alvarez for calling on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its support from President Marcos.

Remulla said he ordered the probe to evaluate whether or not the former House Speaker’s remarks “has risen to the level of sedition, inciting to sedition or even rebellion".

“As a former lawmaker myself, I would like to remind Congressman Alvarez to act in accordance [with] the highest standards of ethics, morality and nationalism, and avoid remarks unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives,” he said in a statement.

Alvarez, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said he gave such remarks because of his frustration over President Marcos’ handling of West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

For his part, Romualdo said it would not be difficult for the DOJ to assess his fellow Mindanaoan’s statements.

“There is ample evidence, including a recording of the remarks. In fact, there is now an admission from the former Speaker. There is a defense-excuse-palusot as well,” he said.

With this in mind, the lawmaker suggested that the DOJ should issue a show-cause order to Alvarez.

Romualdo, who chairs the defense committee of the Commission on Appointments, lauded the AFP after they vowed to continue supporting the Marcos administration which is within their mandate as per the chain of command.

As the sitting president, Marcos is also the AFP’s commander-in-chief.