Arnie Teves' 60-day suspension may still be appealed, but only by other lawmakers —Espares

House Ethics Committee Chair Rep. Felimon Espares said Friday that Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.’s 60-day suspension may still be appealed, but not by Teves himself.

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Espares explained that based on the rules of the House of Representatives, a motion to appeal the suspension may be made by any of its members when Congress resumes session on May 8, 2023.

Section 106 of the House rules says that “when a measure, report, or motion is approved, adopted, or lost, a member who voted with the majority may move for its reconsideration on the same or succeeding session day.”

The voting happened on March 22, the last session day before Congress adjourns on March 25. The result was unanimous, as 292 congressmen voted in favor of the Ethics Committee’s recommendation to suspend the Negros Oriental representative.

“Privilege kasi ng bawat member ang gumawa at mag-present pero ang interpretation din natin sa House rules na pag na-print na yan at na-motion-an na, na-rule na, na-furnish ng copy yung mga concerned niyang entity, so good as printed na,” Espares said.

(It's a privilege for House members to present. But our interpretation is that once a motion has been passed and copies have been furnished to concerned entities, it's as good as printed)

Espares also explained that his committee cannot act on criminal complaints.

“Baka may nag-file ng criminal related to that, yun nga hindi na kami puwede mag-take up ng ganoong matter in the Ethics Committee,” he said.

(If someone files a criminal complaint related to it, we cannot take that up in the Ethics Committee.)

When asked if Teves’ staff will continue to receive their salaries and benefits while the congressman is suspended, Espares replied, “I cannot talk on that matter kasi nasa House leadership na rin yun. It depends sa Sec Gen how are they going to implement the suspension. Pero very clear naman yan sa House rules na apektado, of course, yung di ba kahit office space nga eh, suspended din. Di ka rin makagamit eh.”

(It's up to the House leadership. It's up to the secretary general how they are going to implement the suspension. But based on the House rules, they will be affected. They can't even use the office space.)

Teves was handed a 60-day suspension by the House due to his continued absence in congressional proceedings despite an expired travel authority.

The Negros Oriental representative has yet to come home from a trip to the U.S. and asked for an extension of his leave due to "grave security threats".

Teves is facing three murder complaints filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in relation to killings carried out in 2019.

He is also being linked to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. 

On Friday, Degamo's widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo accused Teves' camp of being responsible for around 30 killings. His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said he refused to dignify the allegations.  

Teves has also denied allegations in relation to the Degamo slay. —VAL, GMA Integrated News