Rep. Arnie Teves suspended for 60 days

No congressman objected when the plenary of the House of Representatives voted on the recommendation of the House ethics and privileges committee to suspend Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. for 60 days, for not showing up to the assembly even though his travel authority had expired.

In the poll, 292 congressmen were in favor of the recommendation, and none opposed it.

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According to the House ethics and privileges committee, Teves was found guilty of “disorderly conduct affecting the dignity, integrity and reputation of the House of Representatives in accordance with the House Rules.”

“After thorough deliberation and observation of due process, the committee hereby recommends to the House of Representatives the imposition of a penalty of 60 days suspension from the service upon Representative Teves for disorderly conduct,” according to the sponsorship speech of committee report 472, made by Rep. Felipe Espares, chairman of the committee.

In the speech of Speaker Martin Romualdez (Leyte), he said that they would not tolerate the wrong behavior of their colleagues in the assembly.

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“Under our leadership, the House will never ever countenance any conduct unbecoming [of] a House member,” said Romualdez.

The House leadership gave Teves travel authority from February 27 to March 9.

When Teves’ travel authority ended, Romualdez suggested the congressman go home and face the allegations against him.

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Teves’ name was involved in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4.

Rep. Arnie Teves suspended for 60 days

The police also filed a complaint against Teves in connection with a separate incident of killings in the province.

But Teves requested Romualdez in the letter sent to allow him to take a leave of absence for two months because of the threat to his security.

On March 15, the House ethics and privileges panel gave Teves five days to explain and appear at the House’s deliberations.

Teves denied the allegations against him. In a video message on Tuesday, Teves said he was also a victim of the situation.

“Ang hinihingi ko lang naman fairness, at hindi yung ididiin yung isang tao.  Hinihiling ko rin sana na tingnan ang lahat ng anggulo,” the lawmaker said.

“Paano natin makukuha ang totoong hustisya dito? Pareho lang kami ng pamilya Degamo na biktima dito. Ginagamit ako ng marami diyan for political milage. Nanawagan ako sa ating mahal na Presidente sobra na yung ginagawa ng ibang tao sa gobyerno sa akin, masyado na nila akong dinidiin, kinakawawa, at inaapi,” he added.

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