Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.
MANILA – The legal counsel of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. on Monday requested the House of Representatives to lift the 60-day suspension against him over his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.
In a letter dated March 24 to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio urged the panel to take into consideration the matters that "may have been overlooked" in its proceedings against Teves, who has been suspended for his continued defiance to the orders of the lower chamber to return to the country and perform his duties as House member. The letter was released to the media on Monday.
Topacio noted that threats to Teves' life, which were cited as reasons for the lawmaker's inability to appear before the House, do not always come with "demonstrable proofs."
Topacio further argued the threat that Teves conceives falls under "unavoidable circumstances," which prevents his physical presence in the sessions of the House, as well as an exempting circumstance under Section 17, Rule 1x of the House rules.
"It could be by inference from circumstances that are not susceptible to tangible proof, as his in this case. Yet, everyone has a right to be cautious about threats he perceives against his very life," he said.
Topacio said Teves' expressed intention and standing commitment to participate in the sessions indicate that there is "no refusal" to discharge his duties nor disrespect the authority and dignity of Congress.
He said the lawmaker continued insisting to participate in the sessions virtually, but the request was denied.
"We observe, however, that with the lengthy discussion of Representative Teves’ alleged acts in the Report, there is nothing therein that gives a hint as to how such acts affected the dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives and why the matter is sensitive and urgent,” Topacio said.
“It should be considered that, while Representative Teves has not returned to the country due to his belief that his life would be in peril if he does so, he did not disregard, but instead continued to submit to, the authority of Congress, first, by invoking its power to allow him an extension and a leave of absence,” he added.
On Wednesday, the chamber, 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.
According to the committee report, 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 last week, 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)
