• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
For ignoring a deadline on March 21 to appear in person before the House committee on Ethics, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, who is insinuated to have links to the killing of his political rival, Gov. Roel Degamo, was slapped with a 60-day suspension yesterday by the Lower House, citing his “disorderly behavior and defiance.”
A total of 292 solons voted for the suspension of Teves, following adoption of the Ethics committee report. There were zero negative votes and zero abstentions.
Teves, in his social media account, said “it is now obvious there is an operations (sic) against me,” in the House of Representatives.
He also lamented how the Ethics committee insisted that he show up in person, even though he said there were supposed threats to his safety.
Prior to his suspension, Teves had written Speaker Martin Romualdez, asking to grant his request for a two-month leave of absence, reiterating threats against his life.
The Negros Oriental solon was given travel clearance by the House to travel to the United States, from February 28 to March 9, for stem cell treatment.
In his sponsorship speech, COOP NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, chair of the Ethics committee, disclosed that the committee followed due process and thoroughly deliberated its decision to suspend Teves, who exhibited “disorderly behavior” during his unauthorized absence.
“Let us not be mistaken or misled of numerous insinuations and beliefs on the outcome of this investigation. We are at liberty to say that the real issue on the cases at hand is whether or not the conduct of Rep. Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ A. Teves Jr. in staying abroad with expired travel clearance … constitute disorderly behavior,” Espares said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., yesterday said Teves should return to the Philippines.
“As time goes by, your situation will become harder. If you come home earlier, then there will be more options for you. But if you come back too late, then the government would be forced; we will have to move without any discussions with him,” Marcos, who was the guest of honor during the Philippine Army founding anniversary at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, told reporters.
In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., yesterday said that they already accounted for of the 10 suspects in the killing of Gov. Degamo and eight others on March 4.
Abalos said that five more suspects, who directly participated in the armed attack at the house of Gov. Degamo, are now under the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Abalos also noted that these suspects “have voluntarily offered relevant testimonies that will help the task force build a strong case against the perpetrators, as well as the intermediaries, and mastermind.”
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo thanked President Marcos and the government for their help in finding a solution to the death of her husband.
“We are really hopeful that peace in Negros Oriental will return after we uncover the truth, and the mastermind will be unmasked,” the mayor said.
At present, Abalos said joint military tracker teams remain focused in pursuing leads, including information provided by the suspects under custody.
Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., who was present in the media briefing, assured Degamo’s widow, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo, that the government is sparing no effort in going after the culprits behind the attack.
Galvez also commended the AFP under Gen. Andres Centino for their efforts in tracking and arresting the suspects, as he praised the Philippine National Police (PNP) and NBI for their cooperation and assistance in helping resolve the case.* with PNA reports
