MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday announced that the special elections to fill the vacant post of expelled Negros Oriental 3rd district Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will no longer push through on December 9, 2023.
Comelec received House Resolution No. 154 from the House of Representatives urging it to “reconsider its resolution for the conduct of the special election” in the Third District of Negros Oriental “given all existing circumstances and predicament” in the province.
According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, the resolution effectively recalls House Resolution No. 136, which called for the conduct of the special election.
“Therefore, in recognition of the legislative power of Congress, the (Comelec) Law Department and the en banc decided to cancel the conduct of the special election in the 3rd Legislative District of the Province of Negros Oriental, and for the Commission to discontinue its ongoing preparation for the said special election,” said Garcia in a press conference.
Garcia directed the Regional Director of the Comelec office in Negros Oriental, including all election officers to inform all parties, candidates, citizens arms, interest groups, suppliers and stakeholders that the elections will no longer push through.
He explained that only Congress has the authority to both initiate and cancel a special election.
“The Comelec will just implement the mandate of the House of Representatives in this respect sapagkat miyembro po kasi nila ito (as the involved official is their member),” said Garcia
“This involves the question of membership. This should be resolved by the House of Representatives,” he added.
Garcia assured the public that the Comelec had not yet expended a substantial amount of funds on the preparations for the special elections, noting that the expenses hadn’t even reached the million peso mark, yet.
Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives on August 16, 2023 for chronic absence and indecent conduct.
His absences were rooted on the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in March.
Teves was tagged as the alleged mastermind.
He, however, denied involvement in the killing of Degamo.