Teves’ terrorist tag will have bearing in ethics panel’s suggestions, says House SecGen

Negros Oriental 3rtd District Representative Arnolfo Teves. Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — The designation of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. as a terrorist will have a bearing in the House committee on ethics and privileges’ new set of recommendations, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said.

Velasco, in an ambush interview with reporters at the House of Representatives on Tuesday said that they got a certified true copy of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC)  declaration, labeling Teves, his brother, and former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, and 11 others as terrorists.

The House official confirmed that ATC is currently briefing the committee, which is headed by COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares.

“We were able to get a certified true copy.  Of course, kasama ‘yon sa issues na kino-consider ng ethics committee,” he said.

“In fact nand’yan sila ngayon, nagpe-present, ongoing ngayon,” he added.

As to why the committee hearing is taking long — starting at around 1:00 p.m. and still unfinished after 4:30 p.m. — Velasco said the committee has to listen to representatives of different agencies present.

“Kasi kailangang pakinggan kasi dapat ‘yong mga resource persons, DOJ (Department of Justice), ATC, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), and Bureau of Immigration.  And DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) also, so marami-rami,” he noted.

Earlier, the ATC designated the Teves siblings and 11 others as terrorists for allegedly being involved in the spate of killings in the province and the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Teves denied the accusations, saying that he and Pryde Teves would not gain anything from killing Degamo.

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