MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte 1st District) formally stepped down from his post as Secretary-General of the ruling PDP-Laban on Sunday, his office announced. Related Stories Alvarez denies joining minorityAlvarez also earlier left the majority bloc at the height of the lower chamber's speakership row, which saw him going independent as a "non-aligned" member of the House. "Rep. Alvarez resigned from the Party because he intends to commit and pursue a voter’s education campaign for Filipinos given the importance of the 2022 elections," the statement read. During the speakership row, Alvarez endorsed the now-ousted Alan Peter Cayetano, after which he disclosed that he abstained from voting for or against now Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. "This way, the voter’s education campaign can proceed, and rightly be perceived, as politically neutral without risking possible backlash against PDP-Laban," it said, adding that "the Party’s assistance for those campaigns that led to historic electoral victories cannot be understated."

Source: Philippine Star November 15, 2020 03:33 UTC