Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon (left), Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (MANILA BULLETIN, Facebook)

The ethics case filed against former House Speaker, Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez should serve as a reminder to fellow congressmen to "act appropriately in public". 

Thus, said Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, who gave an update on Alvarez's case on Friday, May 3. 

"Well, we are bound by the rules. Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives. So, this will serve as a reminder to us that we have to act appropriately in public with respect to our actions, appearances, speeches," said Bongalon, a vice chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. 

"Freedom of speech is not absolute. So, basically, this will serve as a reminder that as public officials, we have to behave properly, especially in public. And we have to act appropriately. Therefore, as the saying goes, public office is a public trust," he added. 

Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy earlier filed an ethics complaint against Alvarez, a Marcos administration critic. He is also a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/3/bongalon-on-alvarez-s-house-ethics-case-wala-hong-politika-rito 

On Thursday, the committee found the complaint to be sufficient in form and in substance. 

Alvarez upset a handful of his House colleagues when--in a speech in front of his constituents in Tagum City last April 14--he urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its support from President Marcos.  

He said this would force Marcos to step down and allow Vice President Sara Duterte to take over the reins of the country. Vice President Duterte is the daughter of former president Duterte. 

Informed about the complaint on Thursday night, Alvarez only had this to say to reporters: "I submit my case to the best judgement of the House Ethics Committee."