“PULL the trigger and give your best shot,” Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Tuesday following the rumors his critics wanted him replaced after he purged the House members who voted against the death penalty bill that was passed last month.
Alvarez has also filed a graft complaint against Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. following an allegedly anomalous deal between the government and Floirendo’s Tagum Agricultural Development Co. or Tadeco.
He accused Floirendo of having an unlawful business interest while serving as an elected official.
Alvarez is from Davao del Norte’s first district while Floirendo, the biggest campaign donor of President Rodrigo Duterte, comes from the second district.
The graft complaint arose from the joint venture agreement between the Bureau of Corrections and Tadeco. Alvarez claims a 25-year lease contract signed by Tadeco and the bureau was grossly disadvantageous to the government.
Tadeco on Tuesday denied allegations it was ill-treating and exploiting its workers.
In a statement, Tadeco said the allegations its deal with the Bureau of Corrections was grossly disadvantageous to the government was entirely false.
Alvarez said he was optimistic he would remain Speaker when the House sessions resume on May 2 from a month-long Lenten break and up to the end of Duterte’s term.
“They can go ahead and unseat me, make my day. I have no problem about that,” Alvarez said.
“I did not ambition for this post and I will do my very best for the nation, even if this would mean risking my post.”
Many lawmakers were disgruntled after Alvarez purged the House leaders, including Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for their “no” vote on the death penalty.
So far, 12 lawmakers including Arroyo, who held the position of deputy speaker, have been replaced after House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas declared their seats vacant on March 15.
