Rep. Arnolfo Arnie Teves Jr. of Negros Oriental
MANILA, Philippines — No certificate of candidacy (COC) was filed on the first day of the filing period for the special elections to replace of expelled Negros Oriental 3rd district Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.
The Commission on Elections has set the period for the filing of COCs from Nov. 6 to 8 for the special elections to replace Teves on December 9.
As of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, however, no COC has been filed, the Comelec said.
Teves Jr. was expelled from the roll of the House of Representatives on August 16, 2023 for chromic absence and indecent conduct, with 256 members voting to adopt the recommendation of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
The House Committee on Ethics and Privilege handed down two 60-day suspensions against Teves for failing to report to the chamber despite Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s direct order to do so.
Teves had flown to the United States for a medical procedure by the power of the travel authority issued by the House.
However, the lawmaker refrained from returning to the Philippines after authorities implicated him in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023.
Teves said he and his brother, former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, would not gain anything from the crime.
The lawmaker cited concerns about his safety and family as reasons for staying abroad.