House ethics panel unanimously recommends stiffer sanction vs. Arnie Teves

The House ethics panel on Monday unanimously recommended stiffer disciplinary action against Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. due to continued absence amid expired travel authority in violation of House rules.

“The House committee on ethics and privileges unanimously decided to recommend to the plenary the imposition of a stiffer disciplinary action to our colleague, Arnolfo Teves, Jr., for violation of the rules of the House of Representatives, particularly Rule 20, Section 142 Substitute A and B of the Code of Conduct and for disorderly behavior,” House ethics panel chairperson Felimon Espares said.

“We exhausted discussions on this because this is not an easy decision for the committee and we need to ensure the protection of the members of the House of Representatives,” he added.

The House earlier slapped a 60-day suspension against Teves for violating House rules and disorderly conduct after the Negros Oriental lawmaker refused to come home. Teves was being linked in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

The Justice department has since filed murder and other related complaints against Teves over Degamo’s slay and other killings in the lawmaker’s home province, but Teves maintained that such charges are not true and are politically motivated.

House ethics panel vice chairperson Raul Bongalon said stiffer sanctions would include expulsion and any other penalty that the committee may determine.

“That would be the remaining options [of stiffer sanctions],” he said.

Asked if additional suspension would be  imposed on Teves, Bongalon said the Constitution "only allows for 60 days at the maximum  for suspension. We cannot impose more than that under our 1987 Constitution."

Asked what makes Teves' case so compelling that could merit stiffer sanctions, Bongalon said his embattled colleague's defiance did him in.

"I am not saying that expulsion will be recommended, but this case is entirely different because this started with an expired travel clearance, then the controversy he is facing because of the murder of Governor Degamo. Despite the call of the House leadership, from the very first suspension, there was continuous defiance on his part," he said.

"We took action because the committee cannot be labeled as consenting to this disorderly behavior," he added.

Ahead of the committee's decision, Teves' lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said their camp is open to all legal remedies since the House ethics panel has refused to hear their side unless it is delivered personally by Teves.

"Our remedies lie elsewhere," Topacio told reporters.

"We could raise grave abuse of discretion [on the part of the House]," he added, referring to filing a possible petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court.

Espares then said fresh and stiffer sanctions against Teves could be decided before Congress’ session adjourns sine die on May 31.

“If we can submit this [recommendation] by tomorrow...it’s up for the [House] committee on eules on when they will put this on agenda [for plenary action]. I do, however, take note, that we only have two days left before the sine die break,” he said.

Congress will be on break until July 24, which is the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.—AOL, GMA Integrated News