Alvarez denies saying Sara Duterte is part of opposition

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday clarified that he never said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is part of the opposition.

“Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling yung kwento na 'yan pero wala akong sinasabi na part ng opposition. Panong magiging part of the opposition eh part ng administration 'yan?” Alvarez said in a press briefing.

The House Speaker was reacting to Duterte-Carpio’s earlier social media posts criticizing him for supposedly saying she is part of the opposition.

READ: Sara Duterte slams Alvarez for ‘opposition’ tag: How dare you call me that?

In her social media posts, Duterte-Carpio also called out Alvarez and said he himself acted as an opposition when he said he can impeach her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

Alvarez denied Duterte-Carpio’s allegations and said he will not dare say that as he fully supports the president.

The spat between the two Davao City leaders stemmed from Alvarez’s comment over the regional party Duterte-Carpio recently formed.

Asked if the mayor should be required to affiliate her local party to the ruling party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan, Alvarez said there is no need. He added that it was a "non-issue" as it is a common practice to create regional parties.

Alvarez also cited politics and political dynasties as he said Duterte-Carpio’s decision should be respected.  

“Doon natin makikita na sa pulitika, 'yung tinatawag nila minsan dynasty-dynasty. Alam mo hindi sa lahat ng panahon ay tama 'yun. Kahit na mag-ama yan, kahit na—minsan hindi tayo nagkakasundo. Magkapatid naglalaban sa pulitika, paano natin pigilin 'yun? Sila mismo naglaban-laban 'di ba?” Alvarez said in a radio interview.

“Ito namang sa kaso noong pagtatag ng partido ni Mayor Sara ay talaga namang pupuwede 'yun, 'di ba? So, igalang na lang natin talaga,” he added.

‘Unity is non-issue betrayed by Alvarez’s comment on political dynasties’

This statement of the House Speaker irked Duterte-Carpio. 

“The Speaker’s latest media statement that he respects the creation of Hugpong ng Pagbabago or that the unity is a non-issue, was unfortunately betrayed by his comment on political dynasties,” the Davao City Mayor said in a separate statement.

“If the Speaker is attacking our effort to do something significant and timely for region 11, and reducing it as a product of political dynasties, I suggest he pass the Anti-Political Dynasty Law,” she added.

Duterte-Carpio informed the public and Alvarez that the unity she forged with four governors of Region 11 has the blessing of her father. She added that even the use of the word “Hugpong” as the name of the regional party “Hugpong ng Pagbabago” has the president’s approval.

“I also specifically informed the President that I will not join PDP Laban,” she added.

Despite the rift, Alvarez is optimistic he can clear things out with the mayor. He said she may have been fed by wrong information.