DOTC chief eyes CA nod

DAVAO CITY — Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez hopes that he will finally get the nod of the Commission on Appointments when the CA meets anew on March 4 to tackle his much delayed confirmation.

"I am hopeful that it would finally be on March 4 despite the odds and the strong lobby by certain interested quarters against my confirmation. I believe in the CA and I have faith in the CA," Alvarez told The STAR.

He expressed thanks for the "tremendous support" extended to him by various sectors, including business groups, local government officials and even senators and congressmen, particularly those from the Mindanao bloc.

Mindanao legislators have backed Alvarez’s appointment while local government officials across the island also strongly rallied for him.

"I am really thankful for all the support I am getting... from almost every sector except from those who have business interests in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3," he said, referring to the controversial contract signed in 1997.

"They think I am a hindrance to whatever is their agenda and they are pushing heaven and earth to get me out of the picture," he added.

He likewise wondered at the huge amount being shelled out by those against his taking over the DOTC portfolio, as gleaned in full-page ads in national dailies.

"I am amazed at the paid newspaper space used in the campaign against my confirmation. Maybe I am the only member of the Cabinet who got the most number of full-page newspaper ads (against him). I really do not know why," he said.

Alvarez said that he does not have any idea who the other camp wants to take over the DOTC. "Maybe they are going to put their own man but I really do not have any idea who it is they want to be the DOTC secretary," he said.

But he vowed that he would fight to the bitter end those against his confirmation.

"This is a battle that I could not just give up. I am really poised to fight this to the end. I have stated my case clearly before the CA right from the start of the confirmation process, that I have nothing to do with the case of plunder that they have been accusing me of" he said.

Alvarez stressed the accusations against him have turned personal, which is all the more reason why he cannot just throw in the towel.

"The charges have become very, very personal. They have been saying a lot of things against me. They accused me of crimes I have not committed at all," he said.

The secretary has been charged with committing plunder in a government transaction with the controversial Philippine International Airport Terminals Co. (PIATCO) for the construction of NAIA Terminal 3.

But Alvarez said the contract was signed in 1997, long before he was appointed to the DOTC post.

"Plunder is a capital criminal offense. And it is a basic principle in the criminal law that a criminal offense is a personal offense. How can I be charged with plunder when I am not personally a party to all those transactions? I was not even appointed DOTC secretary yet when the contract was signed," he said.

Alvarez also denied other accusations against him, saying his conscience is clear.

"I have been in government service since 1987 and I have always been very professional and now they are accusing me of a crime that I have never committed. They know they are lying and they have to make up stories ... but they will never succeed," he said.