THE special election to fill the position of expelled Negros Oriental Third District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is likely to be conducted in December, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia said Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
In a radio interview, Garcia said necessary preparations for the special election can no longer be included in their preparations for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October.
“Hindi na po aabot sa barangay at SK elections, mahihirapan na po. After na po. Kung sakali, ang pinakamaaga, mga December ng taong ito naming magagawa ang special election sa Negros Oriental,” he said.
(It will not reach the barangay and SK elections, it will be difficult. It's after. In case, the earliest we can do the special election in Negros Oriental is December of this year.)
Garcia noted, however, that they have yet to receive a communication from the House of Representatives calling for a conduct of a special election in the province.
The House of Representatives expelled Teves on August 16 over his continued pursuit of political asylum and unauthorized absence, as well as his indecent behavior as shown in a video of him dancing wearing only his undergarments. The video was uploaded on social media.
The Committee on Ethics and Privileges that recommended Teves’ expulsion said it also considered the embattled lawmaker’s designation as terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
Teves was designated as terrorist following his implication to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several other individuals in the province over the past years.
He was accused of organizing and running a group of terrorists.
Teves' brother, Henry Pryde, and several other alleged suspects in the killing of Degamo were also tagged as terrorists and members of his group. (SunStar Philippines)