Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez admitted to being involved in an extra-marital relationship.
The issue came to light when Alvarez asked the ombudsman to probe his former close friend, Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. over the allegedly anomalous lease of the land owned by the government to Floirendo’s firm.
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Philippine Star reported that their sources pointed to an altercation between Alvarez’ and Floirendo’s girlfriends on October 2, 2016 during the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, where both lawmakers joined President Rodrigo Duterte.
The same sources revealed that Alvarez’ female companion shouted at Cathy Binag, Floirendo’s common-law wife, in front of people. Binag then said that Alvarez was angry at her and Floirendo because Emily, the Speaker’s wife, and their children always sought them out for help whenever they had issues with Alvarez.
A Philippine Daily Inquirer report said that Binag confirmed the incident back in 2016.
Philippine Star further wrote that the rift between Alvarez and Floirendo since then only grew worse, until the former went to the ombudsman to investigate the deal with Floirendo’s Tagum Agricultural Development Corp. (Tadeco) and the Bureau of Corrections (BOC). Tadeco is leasing BOC’s land for its banana plantation in Panabo, Davao del Norte.
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When the Philippine Star called Alvarez on the night of March 28, the Speaker admitted to having a relationship with the woman who figured in an altercation with Binag. However, he said that this is not related to the main issue of a possibly anomalous contract between Tadeco and BOC.
“Incidental lang yan. Oo, may relasyon ako, pero hindi nalulugi ang gobyerno diyan. Look at the contract, which is disadvantageous to the government,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez and Floirendo used to be the best of friends when they were new lawmakers from Davao del Norte in the 2000s. They were also avid supporters of Duterte, with Floirendo being the President’s biggest contributor.
Floirendo and Tadeco have both denied Alvarez’ accusations.
Sources: ( newsinfo.inquirer.net , philstar.com )
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