House ethics panel to tackle only Teves’ absence, nothing more

FILE PHOTO: Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Committee on ethics and privileges will only tackle the matter relating to Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s absence from work and nothing more.

According to committee chair and COOP-NATCCO Rep. Felimon Espares on Wednesday, it was agreed during the executive hearing earlier that the said panel would acquire jurisdiction of Teves’ failure to return from his medical trip to the United States, despite his travel authority expiring last March 9.

“May mga action din ang committee, of course, sa colleague natin of course, and then one action there is the committee approved to acquire our jurisdiction on the matters particularly lang, do’n lang naka-sentro sa expired travel authority.  So wala nang iba,” Espares said.

(The committee has made some actions, of course, regarding our colleague, and then one action there is that the committee approved to acquire our jurisdiction on the matters particularly only on the expired travel authority. Nothing else.)

Espares did not mention it, but the lawmaker’s controversies would not have been touched if the committee only discussed Teves’ failure to report for work.

Teves was tagged by a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) as the brains behind the attack on Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, who, along with several others, were killed last March 4 inside his Pamplona town residence.  Teves has denied the accusations, noting that he and his brother, former governor Pryde Henry Teves, would not gain anything from the incident.

READ: Teves tagged as alleged mastermind in Degamo slay 

READ: Degamo slay case: ‘Observe sobriety’ with accusations vs Teves — counsel 

Teves reasoned that the death of Degamo meant the incumbent vice governor would get the seat, not Pryde, who used to be the province’s governor until the Commission on Election (Comelec) declared Degamo, the winner.

Degamo won after the Comelec credited the votes obtained by a nuisance candidate named “Ruel Degamo.”

READ: Comelec calls for calm as it invalidates win of Negros Oriental governor 

Espares said he could not speculate what would happen next despite the committee tackling the issue.

“I cannot speculate on that dahil sa totoo lang, mahirap din na ano, tignan, i-consider kung ano man ‘yong kanilang side,” Espares said.

(I cannot speculate on that because honestly, it is hard to do that, we should still consider their side.)

“But then of course, (magandang) mabigyan natin ng opportunity to really explain to us on that aspect, para at least malaman naman sa publiko na hindi tayo nagpapabaya, at while we are considering na colleague natin ‘yon, very sensitive din tayo to that aspect at the same time, na really helping our institution na hindi naman masira, at we are always protecting our institution also,” he added.

(But then of course, it is good to give them an opportunity to really explain to us on that aspect, so that the public would know that we are not being lax in our jobs, and that while we are considering that colleague of ours, at the same time, we are also very sensitive to that aspect — helping our institution maintain its integrity, we are always protecting our institution also.)

On Monday, Teves’ legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio revealed they were trying to contact House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s office as the beleaguered lawmaker has information for the Speaker’s ears only.

A day later, Romualdez confirmed that he got to talk on the phone with Teves.  According to the Speaker, Teves was fearful for his and his family’s safety.

READ: Teves ready to return to PH, face accusations but…  

READ: Romualdez says he hasn’t heard from Teves, reiterates call for solon to report to work 

In response, Romualdez said he assured the lawmaker that security would be provided if he returned to the country.  However, the House leader also reiterated his advice to Teves — that the latter should return home and face the accusations hurled against him.

READ: Romualdez tells Teves in phone call: Go home, report for work  

JPV/abc