House ethics panel ends probe on Arnie Teves’ absence amid allegations

The House Committee on Ethics and privileges panel on Tuesday wrapped up its investigation on the continued absence from the chamber of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. 

COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Felipe Espares, the committee chairman, said that the committee already gave Teves enough time to explain his side in person.

Teves has yet to physically be present at the House amid allegations that he was involved in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in early March.

“His continued failure to heed the committee order to appear before the panel left us no choice but to wrap the investigation in his case without his valid explanation," Espares said.

"The committee has reached a conclusion, by a unanimous voting, and we will transmit our report and recommendation to the plenary for appropriate action,” he added.

Complaints have been filed against Teves in connection with killings committed in 2019 killings.

Some accused in the Degamo slaying also pointed to his involvement in the slaying of the local chief executive.

Teves has denied involvement in the crimes but has since refused to return to the Philippines from an overseas trip since then.

Espares, however, refused to disclose his committee’s recommended action on Teves.

“In compliance with committee rules, the committee is not at liberty to disclose to the public our reports and recommendations pending our submission and deliberation in the plenary,” Espares said.

“We cannot disclose our report, our recommendation, until after the Committee on Rules accepts and present it in the plenary,” Espares added.

Based on Section 54 of the Rules of Procedure of the House ethics and privileges panel adopted on November 22, “no information, or copies of any committee report, study or other documents which purports to express this view, findings and conclusion or recommendations of the committee in connection with any of its activities and procedures, may be released to any individual or group, without proper approval by the majority of the members of the committee.”

Section 52 of the same Rules of Procedure of the House ethics and privileges panel also states that the committee may recommend the following actions:

• admonition
• reprimand
• censure
• suspension for not more than 60 days
• expulsion from the House or
• any other action or remedial measures as determined by the committee.

—NB, GMA Integrated News