MANILA, Philippines – Nagpataw ng 60 pang araw na suspensyon ang Kamara para kay Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves dahil sa patuloy na hindi nito pagdalo sa kapulungan kahit na expired na ang travel authority nito.
Ang suspensyong ipinataw ay walang bayad.
Sa botong 285 yes votes, zero no votes at isang abstention, tinanggap ng Kamara ang rekomendasyon na ginawa ng House ethics and privileges panel na inuupuan ni COOP-NATCCO party-list Representative Felimon Espares.
“His [Teves] actions constitute violation of code of conduct and disorderly behavior warranting disciplinary action. [As a result], the House committee on ethics and privileges recommends to the House of Representatives the imposition of the following penalties: 60 day suspension due to disorderly behavior, revocation of all his rights and privileges as member of the House in said period, and forfeiture of all committee membership,” ayon kay Espares.
“He remains abroad, fails to perform his duties and responsibilities as members of the House and commits acts detrimental to the House and its members,” dagdag niya.
Matatandaan na itinuturo ng Department of Justice si Teves bilang isa sa mga suspek sa pagpatay kay Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, maging ang ilang insidente ng pagpatay sa probinsya noong 2019.
Sa kabila nito, pinanindigan ni Teves na wala siyang kinalaman sa mga krimen na iniuugnay sa kanya at ang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya makauwi ng Pilipinas ay dahil umano sa mga banta sa kanyang buhay.
Noong Marso ay sinuspinde na ng Kamara si Teves ng 60 araw dahil sa kanya ring pag-absent.
Nanindigan naman ang legal counsel ni Ferdinand Topacio na ang hindi pag-uwi ng kanyang kliyenteng si Teves ay katanggap-tanggap.
“He has no obligation to come home. The Supreme Court recognizes that every person has the right to self preservation,” sinabi ni Topacio.
“Why is everybody asking him to come home when he already said there are serious threats to his life here in the Philippines? We have received information as early as December last year, long before the killing of Governor Degamo, that authorities are planning to plant bullets, guns, and explosives in his property to pin him down,” dagdag niya. RNT/JGC
