• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental 6th district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez yesterday doused speculations that she may temporarily retire from politics due to health reasons, as she confirmed yesterday that she will be seeking a second term as member of the House of Representatives.
Alvarez said she has still two terms as congresswoman of the 6th district of Negros Occidental, and she was unfazed by reports that the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas (PDP) could field former Hinobaan Mayor Ernesto Estrao as their congressional bet in the district.
If that’s their decision, I cannot do anything about it, the solon said, stressing also that she had been supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte during his presidency, and has worked with many PDP members, both in the Lower House and Senate.
Everybody can run, said Alvarez, who has served as a representative of the Negros Occidental 6th district in the Lower House for almost 12 years now. She was replaced in 2019 by her father, Rep. Genaro Alvarez, after completing a nine-year term.
“I think it is early to talk about the elections, as the elections are still next year,” the solon said, stressing that she will just focus on doing her job in the meantime.
The sixth district of Negros Occidental has been a bailiwick of the Alvarez family since the 1990s.*
