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House suspends Teves for 60 days for ‘disorderly behavior’

By Jose Cielito Reganit

March 22, 2023, 8:44 pm

<p>Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. <em>(Photo courtesy of House of Representatives)</em></p>

Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. (Photo courtesy of House of Representatives)

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to suspend Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. for 60 days over his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.

This after the House plenary -- with 292 affirmative votes, no negative votes and zero abstentions adopted the recommendations made by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges headed by COOP NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, through Committee Report No. 472.

“Pursuant to this Constitutional mandate and the provisions of the Rules of the House and the Committee Rules of Procedure for the 19th Congress, we find and so hold that the conduct of Rep. Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. in staying abroad with expired travel clearance and his continued defiance to the orders of the House and the Committee to return to the country and perform his duties as House member constitute disorderly behavior affecting the dignity, integrity and reputation of the House of Representatives, which warrant disciplinary action,” the committee report read.

It further said that Teves failed to observe the norms of conduct and ethical standards expected of public officials, and that his “misconduct has adversely affected the dignity, integrity and reputation of his public office and that of the House of Representatives as an institution.”

“After thorough deliberation and observation of due process, the committee hereby recommends to the House of Representatives the imposition of penalty of 60 days suspension from the service upon Representative Teves for disorderly behavior,” it added.

Following the plenary vote, Speaker Martin Romualdez assured the nation that the House of Representatives, under his stewardship, will not tolerate misconduct and wrongdoing among its members.

In his speech shortly before Congress went on its Lenten break, he said the call for disciplinary action against Teves, who was implicated in the recent killing of Governor Roel Degamo and several others, was a "pressing matter that warranted the chamber’s urgent and sound response.”

He noted that the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, “observing due process and fully cognizant of Rep. Teves’ rights,” conducted an investigation and has submitted its report for plenary action.

“Under my leadership, the House of Representatives will never ever countenance any conduct unbecoming of a House member,” Romualdez said. (PNA)


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