Degamo widow wants Teves expelled from House over e-gambling, murder claims

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the widow of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, let her emotions out before the coffin containing her husband’s body was buried at the family compound in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton town on March 16, 2023. (FERDINAND EDRALIN / INQUIRER VISAYAS)

MANILA, Philippines — The widow of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo has formally asked the House of Representatives to expel Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. over allegations of involvement in e-gambling, online cockfighting, and murder of several individuals.

In a letter dated March 22, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo said that she understands that the investigation into the killing of the late governor is still underway. However, the evidence against Teves allegedly shows that the lawmaker failed to conduct himself properly as a member of Congress.

Teves is accused by a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) of masterminding the attack against Degamo and several others last March 4 at his residence in Pamplona.  The lawmaker, however, has denied any involvement in the incident, saying that he and his brother, former governor Pryde Henry Teves would not benefit from that.

“Whereas, the investigation of the killing of my husband and others are still underway. However, the totality of the evidence at hand against Congressman Teves shows that he has failed [to] conduct himself accordingly as a member of Congress,” the appeal addressed to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez read.

“Murder complaints have been filed before the Department of Justice against Congressman Teves and five others over the killing of former NBI agent Michael Dungog on March 25, 2019, in Dumaguete City,” she added.

According to the widow, “there are so many unresolved killings related to politics and drugs” in which Teves is supposedly involved:

• Former Pamplona vice mayor Kent Divinagracia
• Former provincial government employee Virgelio Diango Sr.
• Radio commentator Rex Pepino
• Former Bayawan councilor Alex Tizon
• Journalist Dindo Generoso
• Radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso
• Beauty queen Ann Rose Neri
• Former Tinago barangay captain Henry Gonzales

Degamo enlisted a series of cases faced by Teves, along with supposed links to e-gambling and online cockfighting.

“It is a public and common knowledge that Congressman Teves is the operator of the illegal gambling games in the Province of Negros Oriental.  The illegal gambling and other activities are conducted openly and [with] impunity,” she said.

“Congressman Teves is also operating an online cockfighting in the Province of Negros Oriental.  The cockfighting and taking of video is held in Brgy. Malabugas in Bayawan City, and the center of operations is conducted at a rented residence in Taclobo, Dumaguete City, formerly owned by the late Cong. Herminio Teves,” she added.

INQUIRER.net has sought the side of Teves’ legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio regarding Degamo’s appeal and allegations, but he has not replied as of posting time.

Teves has denied any involvement in the murder cases filed against him. However, regarding online cockfighting, Teves told President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a video uploaded on his Facebook page that e-sabong was the cause of the operations against him.

READ: Marcos to Teves: Return to PH or gov’t will ‘move without any discussions with him’ 

Last Wednesday, on the last session day of the House of Representatives, Teves was slapped with a 60-day suspension for failing to physically attend to his House duties, despite his travel authority expiring last March 9.

Teves went to the United States for medical treatment but has refused to go home since due to concerns about his and his family’s security.

READ: Rep. Arnolfo Teves gets 60 days suspension as House OKs ethics panel report 

Last Wednesday, Teves also sought an audience with President Marcos, saying he might be compelled to return home if the Chief Executive asks him to.

READ: Teves asks for audience with Marcos: If it’s you who’ll ask me to go home, I might do so 

JPV/abc