By Ben R. Rosario
A senior administration congressman yesterday warned his colleagues against being distracted by the rumor of an ouster plot against House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, saying that this was clearly the result of the House official’s undaunted position on various legislative issues, including the ongoing impeachment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno.
Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano aired this warning as leaders of political parties allied with the super majority bloc assured Alvarez of their unwavering support in the wake of the rehashed rumor of his ouster.
House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro said he remains committed to Alvarez who was able to poster close friendship among members of the super majority.
Castro is president of the National Unity Party, reportedly the political party where Alvarez’s alleged replacement will come from.
“I neither see nor hear personally anything that would validate the alleged coup and more importantly Speaker Alvarez’s relationship with the members of the House remains strong,” said Castro.
Reps. Reynaldo Umali (PDP-Laban, Mindoro Oriental) and Winston Castelo (PDP-Laban, Quezon City) also scuttled the rumor, pointing out that Malacanang’s strong “vote of confidence” in Alvarez’s leadership doused cold water to the unsubstantiated report.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque described the coup plot as just “wishful thinking” even as he stressed that Alvarez remains President Duterte’s most trusted and loyal ally.
“But all this will come to naught because, ultimately, the President will reiterate his support for Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez,” Roque said.
