The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Monday recommended stiffer disciplinary action against suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
In an interview, House Ethics and Privileges Committee Chairman Rep. Felimon Espares, however, said they could not disclose the details on the “stiffer disciplinary actions” pending the submission of the committee report to the plenary.
“We cannot divulge the committee’s action during the executive meeting that we conducted. [But] for your information after our meeting, again we would like to announce with you right now that the committee on ethics and privilege unanimously decided to recommend to the plenary the imposition of a stiffer disciplinary action against our colleague Cong. Teves for violation of the Rules of the House of Representatives, particularly Rule 26 on the Code of Conduct and Disorderly Behavior,” he said.
“If we can do this by tomorrow [Tuesday], probably, we can submit it [to the plenary the same day]. It depends on how the committee secretary is able to come up with [the committee report]. And it was really approved by the committee authorizing the secretariat and the chairman to present our report to the committee on rules,” Espares added.
For his part, House ethics panel Vice Chairman Jil Bongalon said, “We’re not saying that expulsion will be recommended by the committee. This is just entirely [a] different [matter] because it started with an expired travel clearance, and the controversy that he [Rep. Teves] is facing.”
Teves was suspended by the House of Representatives for 60 days in late March for failure to return to the country and face the ethics committee despite the expiration of his travel authority.
But the committee said the maximum allowed days for a suspension to a lawmaker is limited to 60 days.
Based on rules of the lower chamber, a penalty stiffer than suspension is expulsion.
“We really need to come up with a decision coming from members. We exhausted our discussions on this because this is not an easy decision for the committee. We need to ensure appropriate protection of our colleagues in the House,” Espares added.
On Monday, Teves said the recantations of the suspect-witnesses in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo might not be enough to prompt him to return to the country.
“With or without recantations, there is still a threat to my life and there is still no semblance of fairness,” Teves said.
