House panel might be forced to urge Arnie Teves expulsion, says chairman

Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnie Teves, Jr.’s continued absence in House of Representatives amid an expired travel authority could force the ethics committee to recommend his expulsion, panel chairperson Felimon Espares of COOP-NATCCO party-list said Tuesday.

Espares made the response when asked how long can the panel spare Teves from expulsion given that the lawmaker has yet to return. 

“We have to weigh on that [question on how long we can avoid recommending expulsion] because the question now is, what is the next action of the House. I cannot talk about that [yet], pero baka mapwersa talaga ang committee to recommend the most extreme...our most extreme, iyong expulsion,” he said.

“Its decision depends upon the appreciation of the members of the situation, and updates on what will happen after the suspension,” he added.

Espares continued, "Iyong mga ganyang ginagawa niya...parang hindi na siya interesado."

The House had twice meted him a 60-day suspension, with the second one expiring on July 31.

Teves has yet to return to the Philippines since the Justice department linked him in the March 4 killing of then Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. He denied the allegation and said that he cannot go home due to threats to his and his family’s life.

Espares reiterated that Teves should come home and report for work at the House.

“He needs to report here in the House. He left with an approved travel authority which already lapsed, so he needs to show up here,” Espares said.

“Wala naman siyang rason para magtago kasi wala naman warrant sa kanya,” Espares added.

The National Bureau of Investigation already filed murder charges against Teves in connection with the Degamo murder, but a number of witnesses have taken back their testimonies since then.

Asked if a court issuing arrest warrant on Teves would prompt the House to take immediate action against him, Espares said the House’s action will still depend on a a number of factors.  The ethics panel head said the chamber's jurisdiction is limited to the administrative aspect of the case.

“When an arrest warrant is out and he’s here, the House can only decide on the matter if there is a finality to the decision, like a Supreme Court decision with finality. But if the decision is yet to reach finality, the House won’t be able to do anything in that situation as long as he is here,” Espares said.

“Pero kung magtago siya because of an arrest warrant, then the House has a reason to take action since he is evading the judicial process,” Espares added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Teves' camp for comment but he has yet to reply as of posting time.—LDF, GMA Integrated News