THE House of Representatives is looking into imposing a “stiffer penalty” against suspended Negros Oriental Third District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. due to his continuous refusal to return to the country.
In a television interview, House ethics panel vice chairperson Raul Angelo Bongalon said Teves’ move to seek asylum in Timor-Leste will be considered as the committee deliberates against the sanctions against Teves on May 23, following the expiration of the embattled lawmaker’s 60-day suspension.
He said they have two remaining options, either to implement another period of suspension or to expel Teves.
Bongalon said Teves tarnished the dignity, reputation and honor of the House of Representatives when he applied for a political asylum in Timor Leste.
“If someone is seeking for political asylum, he is taking refuge in another country, so there’s an impression that he has no trust anymore in our government,” he said.
Teves' application was denied.
Bongalon, however, reassured Teves of his safety and security if he comes back home.
Teves refused to return to the country over claims of threats against his life amid his implication in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, which also resulted in the death of nine innocent civilians on March 4.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, May 17, filed murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder charges against Teves.
'Anticlimactic'
In a television interview, Teves' legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said charges against his client are anticlimactic.
“What took them so long? We have been telling them, if you have evidence, please file them in court, before the DOJ (Department of Justice), so we might respond to them instead of engaging in trial by publicity,” Topacio said.
Topacio also called on Remulla for being biased and pro-Degamos, noting that the DOJ only coordinates with them and not with Teves’ camp.
Meanwhile, the Degamos’ lawyer Levy Baligod said a former high-ranking official of the DOJ is interfering in order to make the witnesses uncooperative with the efforts to solve the crime.
“We know for a fact and the secretary of justice is looking at it now that a certain high-ranking official of the Department of Justice before with a rank of [undersecretary] is working with some jail guards at the NBI detention facility. Ino-offeran nila ng pera ‘yung detainees... para hindi sila mag-cooperate sa government (they are offering money to the detainees so that they won't cooperate with the government),” Baligod said.
He added that the official is currently serving as a lawyer for one of the suspects in Degamo’s death.
Authorities arrested 11 suspects in Degamo’s execution, including the alleged “director” Marvin Halaman, who is associated with Teves.
Teves was tagged as the alleged “executive producer” for “funding” the entire activity. (SunStar Philippines)