Remulla orders probe on Alvarez’s call to withdraw support from Marcos

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday ordered an investigation on whether Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez’s call to withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was seditious.

In a statement, Remulla said he ordered an investigation on whether Alvarez’s remarks "has risen to the level of sedition or even rebellion.”

“As a former lawmaker myself, I would like to remind Congressman Alvarez to act in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, morality and nationalism, and avoid remarks unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives,” Remulla said. 

The Revised Penal Code states that the crime of inciting to sedition is committed by “any person who, without taking any direct part in the crime of sedition, incite others to the accomplishment of any of the acts which constitute sedition, by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners, or other representations tending to the same end, or upon any person or persons who shall utter seditious words or speeches, write, publish, or circulate scurrilous libels against the government, or any of the duly constituted authorities thereof.

Acts which constitute sedition also include “those which tend to disturb or obstruct any lawful officer in executing the functions of his office, or which tend to instigate others to cabal and meet together for unlawful purposes, or which suggest or incite rebellious conspiracies or riots, or which lead or tend to stir up the people against the lawful authorities or to disturb the peace of the community, the safety and order of the Government, or who shall knowingly conceal such evil practices."

Meanwhile, rebellion is “committed by rising publicly and taking arms against the Government for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to said Government or its laws, the territory of the Philippine Islands or any part thereof, of any body of land, naval or other armed forces, depriving the Chief Executive or the Legislature, wholly or partially, of any of their powers or prerogatives.”

On Sunday, Alvarez appealed to the military to withdraw support from Marcos during a rally with former President Rodrigo Duterte in Tagum City.

For their part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police gave reassurance of their loyalty to the 1987 Constitution.

In a phone interview with reporters Tuesday, Alvarez said he is ready to face any investigation.

“Ok naman ako imbestigahan kasi alam naman natin 'yung elements ng crime na sedition at saka ng rebellion (I am open to any investigation because we are aware of the elements of sedition and rebellion),” he said.

When asked if he believes he has not violated any law, Alvarez replied, “Oo. Binasa ko naman 'yan, kung ano 'yung mga elements noong crime ng sedition at rebellion (Yes. I have already read the elements of sedition and rebellion).”

“Wala namang violence na nangyari. Inciting to sedition? Ako nanindigan pa rin na walang ganun. Ngayon, para sa akin, hayaan na lang natin ang DOJ na magsabi ano ang crime committed (There was no violence committed. Inciting to sedition? I firmly believe that I have not committed such. Let  us allow the DOJ to determine what crime was committed),” he added.

Alvarez also said he will face any complaint that may be filed against him before the House committee on ethics.

“Siyempre, option naman ng House of Representatives 'yan kasi meron naman tayong ano diyan, yung House Ethics Committee. Eh di sasagutin na lang natin kung may maghain ng reklamo (That is an option of the House of Representatives, it has its ethics committee. I will answer if a complaint will be filed),” Alvarez said.

When asked if he is standing by his earlier call to the AFP, Alvarez replied, “Yes kasi 'yan 'yung peaceful means, 'di ba, na puwedeng gawin. Ayoko naman 'yung magkakaroon pa ng gulo-gulo, 'di ba? 'Yung kagaya ng dati, mga rebolusyon-rebolusyon. Ayaw nating mangyari 'yan. Hindi naman kailangang magkasakitan pa diyan.”

(Yes, that's one of the peaceful means that can be done. I don't want any violence, revolution, We don't want that to happen.)

“Kasi nasa batas din naman 'yan, nasa Saligang Batas 'yan, 'di ba. Nasa bill of rights 'yan (That's in the Constitution. In the bill of rights)  - to peacably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances,” he explained.

“Kung meron mang nasaktan, e di pasensiya. Pero para sabihin ko na nagkamali ako sa sinabi ko, hindi ako nagkamali. Ito talaga ang gusto kong sabihin (If I hurt someone with my remarks, I am sorry. But for me to say that I was wrong, I am not. That's what I want to say),” he added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News