Alvarez 'notified' of ouster moves even before SONA, Roque says

MANILA, Philippines — Ousted Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was "notified" that moves to remove him as House leader were afoot as early as the time when President Rodrigo Duterte was rehearsing for his State of the Nation Address, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In his regular press briefing at the palace, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that Alvarez was notified by "someone" which was the reason why he was prepared to defend his position when lawmakers allied with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were starting to move to oust him.

"That's why they were prepared, they adjourned. I think what happened the following day proves that he anticipated it and he prepared for it. That's why the session was opened and closed rather briefly and mic was turned off," Roque said.

The president's spokesman, however, was quick to stress that the information on the brewing rebellion at the House did not come from the Palace.

Alvarez was ousted on Monday last week in a dramatic political showdown that played out on national television and in front of dignitaries who were in attendance to watch the president deliver his SONA.

During the ouster of Alvarez, allies of Arroyo were forced to conduct their proceedings without the plenary's sound system and the mace, the symbol of authority in the chamber.

It was reported that Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, was directly behind the move to oust Alvarez.

Carpio and Alvarez clashed after the latter called the former's fledgling regional political party part of the opposition.

Even before last week's events, it has been reported for months that Alvarez, who was handpicked by the president to lead his massive majority in the House, was in danger of losing his post as House speaker.

Although he was not sure, Roque said Duterte might be unaware of the moves to oust Alvarez.

"The president arrived on time, and he does not expect to be delayed. He articulated that he would leave within five minutes after an hour of waiting if the SONA will not proceed. So I think this is a clear indication that he did not expect any delay during the SONA," Roque said.

Roque also delved into the messy issue of the composition of the House minority caucus, saying Rep. Danilo Suarez (Quezon) is the "recognized" minority leader in the plenary on Monday.

The recognition of Suarez as the minority leader drew objections from Rep. Romero Quimbo (Marikina City) and Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas (Ilocos Norte).

They said that Suarez could not be part of the minority anymore since he voted for Arroyo as House speaker.

Quimbo and Fariñas belong to factions claiming to be the real minority group in the House, which is yet to solve the issue.