UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE | House imposes 60-day suspension on Teves for ‘disorderly conduct’

March 23, 2023 , 10:05 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(March 23, 2023) – Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. faces a 60-day suspension after his colleagues in the House of Representatives penalized him over his refusal to return to the Philippines despite the expiration of his travel authority.

Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, a member of the ethics and privileges panel, explained that the unanimous decision to temporarily suspend Teves was rooted in his absence in legislative proceedings, clarifying it had nothing to do with the murder case he’s currently embroiled in.

“Ito ay may kinalaman sa kanyang expired travel authority and continuing refusal to heed the order of the House Speaker to come back and attend the activities here in Congress,” said Bongalon on One News’ The Chiefs. “Ang kanyang stay sa labas ng ating bansa is unauthorized already.”

Voting 292-0-0, the plenary adopted the recommendations of the ethics and privileges panel after it found Teves guilty of “disorderly conduct” that undermines the reputation of the legislative body.

It remains unclear what will happen if Teves still fails to return once the suspension is over. Instead of speculating, Bongalon said they will await further developments, including a possible move from the camp of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo seeking Teves’ expulsion from the lower chamber.

Several suspects have tagged Teves in the gruesome killing of Degamo and eight other individuals last March 4, but the lawmaker denied any involvement.

“Wala pa naman tayong natatanggap sa committee on ethics na official complaint or verified complaint from the camp of the Degamos. So, we’ll see. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there after the expiration of the 60-day period,” said Bongalon.

In a speech, House Speaker Martin Romualdez maintained that they won’t tolerate misconduct among their members. He stressed the importance of acting on the absence of Teves due to the urgency of the situation.

Even President Bongbong Marcos Jr. reiterated the appeal for Teves to return to the Philippines, vowing to provide him security.

But Teves, a strong supporter of Marcos, insisted that he cannot return at this time because of the threats to his life. He said he took the remark of Romualdez not as an order but as “friendly advice.” He also doubted the offered security of the government given what happened to Degamo.

“Sa totoo lang, gusto ko nang umuwi. Kung hindi lang dahil sa banta sa aking buhay, umuwi na ako. Hindi ko naman puwedeng ipagpalit ‘yung pagka-miss ko sa ating bayan sa buhay ko,” said Teves in a Facebook video last Tuesday. “Hinihingi ko lang naman ay fairness at hindi ‘yung ididiin ‘yung isang tao.”

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government announced yesterday that five more suspects in the brutal assassination of Degamo surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Ten suspects are now in custody.

(PM)

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