FILE PHOTO: Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves has confirmed to attend the Senate inquiry into the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Thursday.
Dela Rosa, who heads the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs which will lead the probe, said Teves, through his secretary has signified his commitment to attend the probe “virtually.”
“He has made his commitment through his secretary, communicating with my committee secretariat, that he is going to attend virtually during the hearing,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
“Yeah, he has confirmed,” Dela Rosa added.
The panel, which is set to start the inquiry on April 17, may serve as an avenue for Teves to relay his side of the story on the killing of Degamo, the senator said.
“Siguro gagamitin niya itong avenue itong hearing na ito para ‘yung side niya is marinig din ng publiko and that is a good sign if he wants to cooperate with our probe,” Dela Rosa said.
(Maybe he will use this hearing to air out his side of the story to the public and that is a good sign if he wants to cooperate with our probe.)
Teves has been tagged as one of the masterminds in the assassination of Degamo and eight others.
The lawmaker is currently out of the country and according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, he may still be in Cambodia.