Alvarez was in private law practice from 1984 to 1986.
From 1987 to 1992, he was a member of the staff of Philippine Senator Wigberto Tañada.
He then became an action officer at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
From action officer, he rose through the ranks, becoming senior assistant manager and chief operating officer of MIAA in March 1995, a position he held until September 1997.

In 1998, he was elected congressman from Davao del Norte's First District.
He served as vice-chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication and was a member of nine other congressional committees.

In January 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him acting Secretary of Transportation and Communications, where he served until July 2002.
 Among Alvarez's achievements were the adoption of the light railway expansion program, improvement of the Philippine National Railway, and computerization of the department and attached agencies.
He also spearheaded the slogan "OKS na OKS sa DOTC" which means "Organisado, Kalinisan at Seguridad".

On Monday, July 25, 2016 the opening of the 17th Congress He was elected as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives Speaker of the House of Representatives with 251 votes.
Alvarez was in private law practice from 1984 to 1986. From 1987 to 1992, he was a member of the staff of Philippine Senator Wigberto Tañada. He then became an action officer at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). From action officer, he rose through the ranks, becoming senior assistant manager and chief operating officer of MIAA in March 1995, a position he held until September 1997.
In 1998, he was elected congressman from Davao del Norte's First District. He served as vice-chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication and was a member of nine other congressional committees.
In January 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him acting Secretary of Transportation and Communications, where he served until July 2002.  Among Alvarez's achievements were the adoption of the light railway expansion program, improvement of the Philippine National Railway, and computerization of the department and attached agencies. He also spearheaded the slogan "OKS na OKS sa DOTC" which means "Organisado, Kalinisan at Seguridad".
On Monday, July 25, 2016 the opening of the 17th Congress He was elected as the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives Speaker of the House of Representatives with 251 votes.
Pantaleon Alvarez