Pantaleon Alvarez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pantaleon Alvarez
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Official portrait of Alvarez during the 19th Congress
|
|
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Davao del Norte's 1st district | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2025 |
|
| Preceded by | Antonio Rafael del Rosario |
| In office June 30, 1998 – January 24, 2001 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Preceded by | Feliciano Belmonte Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Secretary of Transportation and Communications | |
| In office January 24, 2001 – July 3, 2002 |
|
| 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 (2006–2007) |
| 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 January 10, 1958) is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He has served as a Representative for the 1st district of Davao del Norte. He held this role from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2016 to 2025.
From 2016 to 2018, he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Earlier in his career, he was the Secretary of Transportation and Communications from 2001 to 2002 under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Alvarez is a strong supporter of changing the Philippines' government to a federal system. A federal system gives more power to local regions. He once supported the idea of an independent Mindanao but later changed his view to support a federal Philippines.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pantaleon Alvarez was born on January 10, 1958, to Eliseo Alvarez and Nicolasa Diaz. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Far Eastern University in 1978. After college, he went to law school and graduated from the Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1983.
Political Career
Alvarez began his career as a lawyer. From 1987 to 1992, he worked on the staff of Philippine Senator Wigberto Tañada. He later worked at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), where he eventually became the chief operating officer.
First Term in Congress
In 1998, Alvarez was elected to the House of Representatives. He represented the 1st district of Davao del Norte. During this time, he was the vice-chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication.
In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him as the Secretary of Transportation and Communications. In this role, he worked on improving the country's train systems and modernizing the department.
Return to Congress and Speakership
In 2016, Alvarez was elected to Congress again. His fellow representatives elected him as the Speaker of the House. He served as Speaker for two years, until July 2018.
Alvarez was re-elected as a congressman in 2019 and 2022. In 2020, he left the PDP–Laban party and joined the Reporma Party.
During the 2022 presidential election, Alvarez supported Leni Robredo for president. This was a notable change, as he left the camp of another candidate, Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Key Political Views
Alvarez is known for his strong opinions on several important national issues.
Federalism and Mindanao
Alvarez has long been a supporter of giving more power to the regions of the Philippines. He believes a federal government would be better for the country. He has also been a vocal supporter of the idea of Mindanao becoming independent from the rest of the Philippines. He argued that this could protect the region from being drawn into international conflicts.
Government Policies
As Speaker of the House, Alvarez was a key ally of President Rodrigo Duterte. He supported many of the president's major policies. These included the extension of martial law in Mindanao and the government's strong stance against crime.
Alvarez also supported bringing back the death penalty for serious crimes. He was a vocal critic of groups, including the Catholic Church, that opposed this policy.
Controversial Statements
Throughout his career, Alvarez has made statements that have caused public debate. For example, he once suggested dissolving the Court of Appeals, a major court in the Philippines. He also called for the military and police to withdraw their support for President Bongbong Marcos in 2024 because of disagreements over foreign policy. He later apologized for these remarks. The House of Representatives officially disciplined him for his comments.
Personal Life
Alvarez's daughter, Paola, is also involved in politics and has served as a spokesperson for the PDP–Laban party.
