By Beatrice Puente
(March 24, 2023) – “Go home and face your problem.”
The widow of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on Friday had this to say to Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. over his continued refusal to return to the Philippines due to concerns for his safety.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo challenged Teves to fly back to the country to prove his claim that he had nothing to do with the accusations being hurled against him.
“Kapag ikaw, walang kasalanan at nada-drag ang name mo … talagang kahit hindi naka-schedule ay uuwi ka at iki-clear mo ‘yung name mo. Kung totoo ‘yung sinasabi mo, congressman, you can go home and face your problem dito sa Pilipinas,” said Degamo on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas.
Degamo said they are also urging the ethics panel to expel Teves from the House of Representatives over the killings in Negros Oriental. She said they plan to file another case over the alleged involvement of Teves in small-town lottery and e-sabong operations.
While lawmakers are on recess, Degamo expressed hope that their plea will be acted upon once session resumes on May 8.
Teves faces a 60-day preventive suspension over his “disorderly behavior” following his continued absence despite the expiration of his travel clearance and the repeated call from House Speaker Martin Romualdez for him to return.
“Hindi naman masama ‘yung suspension niya for two months, considering na lahat pumabor doon sa kanyang suspension. That goes to show na ‘yung ating Kongreso, in spite of being mag-classmate sila, nandoon pa rin talaga ‘yung kung ano ‘yung tama,” said Degamo.
But Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the legal counsel of Teves, found the process too swift, expressing plans to clarify the matter with the ethics panel. They also plan to submit a “wish list” that they hope the leadership of the lower chamber can grant for him to come back immediately.
“Hindi ko naman sasabihing na-railroad. Nais ko lang sabihin ay binilisan ‘yung proseso. ‘Di ko maunawaan, what accounted for the urgency? Isa lang na kaanib ng Kamara si Cong. Teves. ‘Di naman mapaparalisa ang business ng House of Representatives kung wala siya,” said Topacio.
While he recognized the offered security by the government, Teves stressed that he could not risk his safety, claiming he has received serious threats since the start of the year.
But Degamo believes it would have been more prudent for Teves to just take the security offer of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.
“Presidente na ang nagsalita. Dapat i-grab niya ‘yung opportunity na ‘yun na ino-offer ng president para makauwi siya at maharap niya ‘yung mga problema na pinaggagagawa niya,” said Degamo.
Several suspects tagged Teves in the killing of Degamo’s husband and eight other individuals last March 4 but he denied the allegations. He also faces a case in relation to the killings in Negros Oriental in 2019.
(PM)
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