Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29) — House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez denied his friendship with ally turned sour when their girlfriends got into a fight.
The partner of Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. claimed the falling out between Alvarez and Floirendo started when she had an altercation with the House Speaker’s girlfriend, Jennifer Maliwanag Vicencio, late last year.
“From then on, things spiraled out of control and one thing led to another… I find it petty for some matured men to be burning bridges of friendship over a girls’ spat…. It all boils down to greed. Greed for wealth, power and influence,” Cathy Binag said in a statement on Thursday.
Alvarez shrugged off Binag’s claims.
“Natatawa naman ako diyan kasi paano ba napunta ang usapan diyan. Wala naman pakinabang ang bayan diyan,” he said.
[Translation: I find this funny because how did this become the issue? This does not benefit the country.]
The House Speaker added the camp of Floirendo is trying to divert the issue of the graft case he filed against Floirendo, saying the solon has hired a PR firm to counter the criminal charges.
“Ang tinatanong ko iyong kontrata ng TADECO. Nasaan na ba si Congressman Floirendo? Bilang congressman, meron siyang tungkulin na ipaliwanag sa bayan kung bakit nakuha nila ng pamilya niya na pagsamantalahan at pagnakawan ang bayan ng bilyun-bilyon taon taon at sa pamamagitan ng kanilang highly irregular at disadvantageous contract sa government,” Alvarez said.
[Translation: I am asking about the TADECO contract. Where is Congressman Floirendo? As a congressman, it’s his duty to explain why his family stole billions from the country through highly-irregular and disadvantageous government contracts.]
Alvarez filed the criminal complaint before the Ombudsman last March 13 for Floirendo’s alleged unlawful business interest in a government deal. Alvarez’s complaint stemmed from a joint venture agreement between Tagum Agricultural Development Company or (TADECO) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), which was renewed for another 25 years in 2003. The agreement allows TADECO to lease more than 5,000 hectare of land from BuCor.
Binag said she is not sure whether her fight with Vicencio triggered Alvarez’s filing of complaint against Floirendo.
Alvarez, married but with a girlfriend
With the issue raised by Binag, Alvarez admitted having a girlfriend even as he is still married to Emilita Alvarez.
“Eh Diyos ko naman, kayo naman. Sino bang walang girlfriend?” he said.
[Translation: My God, who doesn’t have a girlfriend these days?]
He, however, clarified he is no longer with his wife.
Alvarez refused to divulge how long he has been dating his girlfriend, but said his children know her.
The House Speaker said the public can file a complaint if they see ethical issues for having a girlfriend despite being legally married.
“Kung meron silang nakikitang ethical issues, ipapa-disbar ako for having a girlfriend, e ‘di go ahead. Magfile ng complaint, baka walang matirang abogado,” he answered.
[Translation: If they see ethical issues, if they want to disbar me for having a girlfriend, go ahead. File a complaint, maybe there won’t be any lawyers left.]
Alvarez and Floirendo were good friends, both are members of the PDP-Laban and supported the candidacy of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Last year, however, rumors started to circulate in the House of Representatives that the two congressmen had a falling out and Floirendo was even leading an ouster plot against the House Speaker.
Floirendo has denied this allegation in an earlier statement.
When Alvarez was asked why he filed a case against his friend, he said their friendship ends where the interest of the country begins.
He added he only filed the case now because Floirendo was hiding the contract for several years.
