THE House Ethics and Privileges Committee unanimously agreed on Monday, May 29, 2023, to impose stiffer disciplinary actions against embattled Negros Oriental Third District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. over his continued defiance of the rules of the chamber.
In a statement, House ethics panel chairperson Felimon Espares said Teves' refusal to return to the country, despite no longer having a valid travel authority from the House leadership, is a violation of Rule 20, Section 142 Substitute A and B of the Code of Conduct and constitutes disorderly behavior.
“We exhausted discussions on this because this is not an easy decision for the committee and we need to ensure the protection of the members of the House of Representatives,” Espares said.
The panel’s vice chairman Congressman Raul Angelo Bongalon said they can no longer impose another suspension against Teves as the law only allows 60 days at the maximum.
In March, the panel imposed a 60-day suspension against Teves, which expired on May 23.
Bongalon said stiffer sanctions include expulsion and other penalties that the panel may come up with.
"I am not saying that expulsion will be recommended, but this case is entirely different because this started with an expired travel clearance, then the controversy he is facing because of the murder of Governor Degamo. Despite the call of the House leadership, from the very first suspension, there was continuous defiance on his part," Bongalon said.
"We took action because the committee cannot be labeled as consenting to this disorderly behavior," he added.
In response, Teves’ legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said they will exhaust all legal remedies against the possible sanctions, noting that the house committee refused to accept their explanation unless it will be personally delivered by the lawmaker.
Murder charges
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, May 17, filed murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder charges against Teves over his alleged involvement in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4.
He refused to come back home due to threats against his life and even applied for asylum in Timor-Leste, which was denied.
Teves, in his latest press briefing on Monday, said not even the recantation of statement of the alleged gunmen who earlier tagged him as the brains behind the murder would convince him to come back home.
He said threats against his life remain and that he still does not see “semblance of fairness” in the ongoing probe.
"Again, ang hinihingi ko lang semblance of fairness, then most probably uuwi na ako (again, all I'm asking for is a semblance of fairness, then most probably I will go home)," he added. (SunStar Philippines)