Pantaleon Alvarez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pantaleon Alvarez
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Official portrait of Alvarez during the 19th Congress
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| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Davao del Norte's 1st district | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Antonio Rafael del Rosario |
| In office June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Rogelio Sarmiento |
| Succeeded by | Arrel Olaño |
| 20th Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines | |
| In office July 25, 2016 – July 23, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Feliciano Belmonte Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Secretary of Transportation and Communications | |
| In office January 20, 2001 – July 3, 2002 |
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| President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Vicente Rivera |
| Succeeded by | Leandro Mendoza |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Pantaleon Diaz Alvarez
January 10, 1958 Pantukan, Davao, Philippines |
| Political party | Reporma (1998; 2020–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
PDP–Laban (2015–2020) PMP (1998–2006, 2007–2015) NPC (2006–07) |
| Spouse |
Emelita Apostol
(m. 1986; annulled 2021) |
| Education | Far Eastern University (BA) Ateneo de Manila University (LL.B) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Pantaleon Diaz Alvarez, born on January 10, 1958, is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He has served as a Representative for Davao del Norte's 1st district since 2016. He also held this position from 1998 to 2001. From 2016 to 2018, he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He also worked as the Secretary of Transportation and Communications under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2001 to 2002.
Alvarez strongly supports changing the Philippines' government to a federal system. He believes this would create local states, including one for indigenous groups in Luzon and another in Mindanao. He first supported an independent Mindanao. However, he changed his mind after discussing a federal Philippines with Rodrigo Duterte. In 2017, Alvarez suggested a new plan to lead the move towards federalism in the Philippines.
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Early Life and Education
Pantaleon Alvarez was born on January 10, 1958. He earned a bachelor of arts (AB) degree from Far Eastern University in 1978. Later, he studied law and graduated from the Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1983.
Political Journey
Alvarez worked as a private lawyer from 1984 to 1986. From 1987 to 1992, he was part of Senator Wigberto Tañada's team. He then joined the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) as an action officer. He moved up the ranks to become a senior assistant manager and chief operating officer of MIAA in March 1995. He held this role until September 1997.
In 1998, he was elected as a congressman for Davao del Norte's 1st District. He served as vice-chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication. He was also a member of nine other important congressional committees.
In January 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him as the acting Secretary of Transportation and Communications. He served in this role until July 2002. During his time, Alvarez helped adopt a light railway expansion program. He also improved the Philippine National Railway and helped computerize the department. He led the slogan "OKS na OKS sa DOTC," which means "Organized, Cleanliness, and Security."
In 2016, he was elected again as congressman for Davao del Norte's 1st District. On July 25, when the 17th Congress opened, he was chosen as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives. He received 251 votes. On July 23, 2018, he was replaced as Speaker by Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Alvarez was re-elected as congressman in 2019 and 2022. On November 15, 2020, he left the PDP–Laban party and joined the Reporma Party.
During the 2022 presidential election, Alvarez supported presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo. He left Senator Panfilo Lacson's campaign. Robredo welcomed the support from Partido Reporma, which Alvarez leads.
Key Political Stances
Support for Federalism
Alvarez is a strong supporter of changing the Philippines into a federal government. He believes this system would give more power to local regions. He has suggested creating new states, including those for indigenous groups.
Views on Mindanao
Alvarez has supported the idea of Mindanao becoming independent from the Philippines. He held this view as early as 2005. He has also suggested that Mindanao should seek independence if the national government continues its strong stance on the South China Sea dispute. He believes this could lead to conflict.
Advocating for Stronger Laws
Alvarez has been a firm supporter of bringing back the death penalty. He believes it is important for fighting crime. He has also encouraged strong actions against criminals.
Views on Government Branches
Alvarez has openly criticized the Court of Appeals. He has suggested that this court should be dissolved. He believes it causes delays in justice. He wants to create special courts in his proposed federal system to speed up legal processes.
Impeachment Efforts
Alvarez has supported efforts to remove high-ranking officials from office. He backed complaints against Vice President Leni Robredo and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. He claimed Robredo's actions were a betrayal of public trust.
Relationship with President Duterte
Alvarez has been a long-time ally of President Rodrigo Duterte. He became House Speaker shortly after Duterte was elected. He has supported Duterte on many issues, including Martial Law in Mindanao and the "War on Drugs." Many people believed Alvarez would remain Speaker as long as Duterte was in power.
Personal Life
Alvarez's daughter, Paola, is the current spokesperson for the PDP–Laban party. She also works as an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Finance.
Alvarez owns several properties in Siargao, a popular tourist spot. He says he bought these properties years ago, before the island became very popular.
Images for kids
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Official portrait of Alvarez during the 19th Congress
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Alvarez (top right) during President Rodrigo Duterte's 2016 State of the Nation Address.
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Official Philippine House of Representatives portrait of Alvarez in 2016
