NEGROS Oriental Rep. Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr. failed to physically report before the House ethics and privileges committee within the scheduled Tuesday deadline, and the panel chair said they will announce their course of action on the offense during Wednesday’s plenary session.
“The continuing failure of Rep. Arnie Teves to heed the committee order to appear before the panel leaves us no choice but to wrap up the investigation in his case without his valid explanation,” House ethics panel chairman and COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon M. Espares told reporters after the hearing.
“The committee is [currently] not at liberty to disclose to the public the contents of our reports and recommendations pending submission and deliberation in the plenary,” he added.
The committee initially gave Mr. Teves five days to explain his whereabouts following the expiry of his travel clearance on March 9. He was given a 24-hour ultimatum on Monday to be physically present in Congress.
Mr. Teves has been linked to the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo and was recently charged with murder complaints over three killings in 2019.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Rosanna V. Vergara said Mr. Teves still receives his salary and benefits as a House member.
In a statement, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said in Filipino, “We recognize and respect the rights of Cong. Arnie as a House member. This is why we have given him a chance to go home and clarify all the issues he’s facing right now.”
Mr. Romualdez said in an earlier statement that he spoke on the phone with Mr. Teves where the latter “expressed fear for the safety of his person and his family, saying this is the reason why he refuses to return home at this time.” — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
Teves defies return-to-work deadline
Source: Bantay Radio
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