THE House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to censure Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for “disorderly behavior” and for violating the Code of Conduct of the Lower Chamber.
With 186 affirmative votes, five negative votes and seven abstentions, the House of Representatives moved to censure Alvarez.
The move effectively amended Committee Report 1103 submitted by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, which recommended the penalty of 60-day suspension for the Davao del Norte solon.
House members agreed to lessen the originally proposed 60-day suspension of Alvarez following appeals from Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo and Northern Samar Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza.
As explained by Romualdo, censure is a formal reprimand or a public statement of the House of Representatives of its disapproval of the conduct of Alvarez.
“This approach fosters a more constructive and rehabilitative outcome allowing Rep. Alvarez to make amends and, in the future, be more circumspect in making statements in public,” Romualdo said.
Moreover, Daza argued that censure serves as a sufficient measure to address the misbehavior without excessively affecting Alvarez’s obligation to serve his constituents.
Espares said the 60-day suspension is merely a recommendation of the panel and will adhere to the will of the majority.
The decision stemmed from an ethics complaint filed by Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy against Alvarez for urging the military to withdraw its support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
Alvarez alleged seditious remarks were delivered during the April 14 rally in Tagum City.
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