MANILA, April 16 -- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Tuesday reminded Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez that the political leadership in the Philippines should be determined through honest elections, and not by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or any armed group.

"Let us insulate our armed forces from politics so that they can develop into a more professional, disciplined, and inspired group," Pimentel said in a statement.

However, he also emphasized that people should be allowed to speak out on important issues without fear of criminal cases.

Pimentel urged House Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel not to file criminal cases against Alvarez "so as to uphold and strengthen the right to free s...