Alvarez removing GMA as deputy speaker

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is out to make an example of Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as far as his seriousness on his backing of the death penalty restoration bill is concerned.

In an impromptu press conference yesterday, Alvarez said he has

already started the process of removing Arroyo, Pampanga’s 2nd District representative, as deputy speaker.

“We have to replace her as deputy speaker,” Alvarez said without batting an eyelash when reporters noted that Arroyo was against death penalty.

Asked if he has spoken to the former President, the Speaker said: “Hindi pa pero (Not yet but) I’ve asked the Majority Leader [Rudy Fariñas] to talk to her.”

The deadpan Alvarez gave these remarks following a three-hour caucus with Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and allies of the PDP-Laban-led supermajority.

Arroyo, who is one her third and last term, was seen leaving the meeting before it was concluded. The caucus was held at the South Wing Annex (SWA) building at the House of Representatives (HOR).

Arroyo, 69, served as president from 2001 to 2010.

One can argue that it was the exPresident who thrust Alvarez’s name on the national stage: On January 20, 2001, Arroyo designated then-rookie Davao del Norte Congressman Alvarez as her transportation secretary. He would hold the position for 18 months.

Earlier Wednesday, Alvarez said that he would replace deputy speakers who will oppose the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 4727, or the bill batting for the return of capital punishment.

He claimed that this wasn’t a threat.

“Hindi banta yun, talagang totoo yun. Gagawin ko sinabi ko na, eh (It’s not a threat because it’s real. I’ll do it because I said it),” the speaker said.

There are 14 deputy speakers in the 17th Congress, the most in recent memory. Reports said that up to four of them are openly against death penalty.

“Kung apat ang may ayaw, mapipilitan tayong humingi doon sa mga respective parties nila ng kapalit (If four are against it, then we’ll be forced to get a replacement from their respective parties),” said Alvarez, who is President Duterte’s top ally in the Lower House.

Arroyo leads the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), which is part of the vast administration coalition.

The death penalty was last abolished in 2006, or during Arroyo’s tenure in Malacañang.

No mandatory death

Meanwhile, House leaders said they are no longer pursuing automatic or mandatory death for the 21 heinous crimes listed on HB No. 4727.

Alvarez, Fariñas, and Justice Committee Vice Chairman Vicente Veloso confirmed this following the PDP-Laban caucus with coalition allies.

Alvarez said those convicted with heinous crimes would now be meted with either reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment) or the death penalty.

“Meaning, yung judge na magdedecide (Meaning it will be the judge who will decide),” said Alvarez, who is the main proponent of the highly divisive measure.

Referring to the heinous crimes covered by this change, Alvarez said: “Halos lahat naman ng tinackle namin is either reclusion perpetua or death (Almost every crime we tackled is punishable by either reclusion perpetua or death).”

In a separate interview, Fariñas said judges could put a convict to death if the circumstances of the crime warrant it.

“There will be no offense where the penalty is mandatory death, but reclusion perpetua to death,” stressed the Ilocos Norte lawmaker.