Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (Rep. Alvarez's Facebook page)

The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges has set for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21 the handing down of the decision on the ethics complaint filed against Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon, a vice chairperson of the committee, said members of the panel were set to deliberate on the committee report rendered based on the hearings they've held.

Bongalon said the panel will decide based on the following sanctions: admonition, reprimand, censure, suspension for not more than 60 days, expulsion from House membership, and any penalty that the committee may recommend as so far as the case is concerned.

“Bukas pa pag-uusapan ang magiging rekomendasyon patungkol sa sanctions na pwedeng ipataw doon sa allegation ng disorderly behavior laban kay Congressman Panataleon Alvarez,” he said in a press conference on Monday afternoon, May 20.

(The recommendation regarding the sanctions that can be imposed on the allegation of disorderly behavior against Congressman Panataleon Alvarez will be discussed tomorrow.)

Unlike hearings on previous ethics complaints, the lawmaker explained that Monday’s hearing was faster than usual because of Alvarez and his counsel’s cooperation.

“Naging mabilis ang presentation ng witnesses (The presentation of the witnesses was quick) because some of the material facts are already stipulated. Ibig sabihin, in-admit ng parehong kampo yung mga factual allegations na nakasaad sa complaint (That means, both camps admitted the factual allegations stated in the complaint),” he said.

Bongalon said the complainant, Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, presented five witnesses to affirm the allegations against the embattled Alvarez.

In his ethics complaint, Uy cited the supposed libelous remarks made by Alvarez against his fellow government officials, including the vice governor of Davao del Norte and other local officials. This is in addition to the alleged seditious remarks by the congressman during a political rally where he urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw support from President Marcos.  

The mayor also cited Alvarez’s alleged habitual absences in the House of Representatives, but this was dismissed on an earlier hearing.

Bongalon, meanwhile, said Alvarez was supposed to be defended by a certain “legal luminary” particularly on the alleged seditious remarks. However, they opted against it and instead had former Majority Leader Rudy Fariñas present an oral summary.

“According to them, it’s part of the freedom of speech. If the House would sanction these kind of utterances, this will open the floodgates of filing cases against members or lawmakers who are very vocal on issues of public concern,” noted Bongalon.

After the panel convenes Tuesday and deliberates on the committee report, the recommendation on Alvarez’s ethics case will be brought to the Committee on Rules.

By Wednesday, May 22, it will be included in the calendar of business. Once taken up in plenary, the committee's actual decision wiIl be made public for the first time.

The Espares-led panel will also recommend a sanction against Alvarez, which will be carried via two-thirds vote in plenary.