THE House Ethics and Privileges committee has started its deliberation and investigation on the continued absence of Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., whose second 60-day suspension ended on July 31, 2023.
On Tuesday, August 1, Committee on Ethics member, Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante, said the panel will consider the designation of Teves as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).
“Pinag-aaralan pa namin kung may bearing yung resolution ng ATC na dine designate siyang terrorista. Sabi naman ng ATC, there is only one reason why siya ay dinesignate na terorista -- so that they could be able to freeze the assets, yun lang,” he said.
(We are still studying if the ATC resolution designating him as a terrorist has a bearing. The ATC said, there is only one reason why he was designated a terrorist -- so that they could be able to freeze the assets, that's all.)
The panel will issue a recommendation on Teves’ penalty amid his continuous refusal to report to work physically.
Abante said Teves may join the deliberation but would have to seek first the approval of the House Speaker if he intends to attend via teleconferencing or through his legal counsel.
The panel is seen to release its recommendation after two weeks.
Teves was tagged by the ATC as leader of the “Teves Terrorist Group,” while his brother Pryde Henry and 11 other individuals, including those who executed the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March, were tagged as members of the terror group.
The lawmaker was accused of being the mastermind in Degamo’s killing, which he has repeatedly denied.
He refused to return to the country and even tried to seek asylum in Timor Leste due to “threats” against his and his family’s life.
Political persecution
In an online press conference facilitated by his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio, Teves slammed the government’s move in tagging him as a terrorist group leader, saying it is a “political persecution.”
“‘Yan ‘yung pinaka-istupido nilang sinabi. Sino ba namang pulitiko ang magso-sow ng fear? Nangangampanya ka nga para mahalin ng tao sabay mananakot ka? Malaking katangahan yun, di ba? Sa totoo lang. You’re wooing people to love you, to vote for you. Paano ka mananalo ng eleksyon kung tatakutin mo yung tao?” he said.
(That's the stupidest thing they said. Which politician will sow fear? Are you campaigning to make people love you while also threatening them? That's very stupid, isn't it? You're wooing people to love you, to vote for you. How can you win an election if you scare people?)
“There’s no such thing as a Teves Terrorist Group. Merong aksyon, tulong, solusyon. Not a terror group. Second, katangahan nga yun. Istupido ka? Magte-terrorize ka ng tao kung magpapapili ka tuwing eleksyon? It’s illogical, it’s stupid, it’s katangahan. Hindi siya nagma-match,” he added.
(There is no such thing as a Teves Terrorist Group. There is action, help, solutions. Not a terror group. Second, that's stupid. Are you stupid? You will terrorize people if you want them to choose every election? It's illogical, it's stupid. It doesn’t match.)
He insisted on his right to be heard and be represented by his counsel. (SunStar Philippines)