Alvarez 'moves on' after ouster as House speaker

MANILA, Philippines — After being abruptly replaced as the House leader, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez has acknowledged Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the new House speaker.

“We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly shape our future. The House of Representatives has chosen a new speaker in the person of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” Alvarez said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“Alang-alang sa bayan (for the country's sake), let us get back to work and move on,” he added.

Alvarez and Arroyo personally met for the first time after the Pampanga was installed as the new House leader on Monday evening.

Arroyo described her meeting with Alvarez as “good” and “very cordial” but refused to disclose their privileged conversation.

READ: Arroyo, Alvarez meet after House leadership change

The former president was sworn in as the House speaker before and after President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address last Monday causing a commotion at the lower house.

The House adopted the resolution entering into record the July 23 election proceedings on Wednesday.

A majority of 184 lawmakers voted Arroyo as House Speaker.