Romualdez on Teves seeking asylum: Continued absence may lead to more sanctions

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday expressed "great concern" over embattled lawmaker Arnie Teves of Negros Oriental seeking political asylum in other countries, saying this could lead to his continued absence in the Lower House and may result in "additional sanctions".

Romualdez made the statement a day after the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that Timor Leste denied Teves’ request for political asylum. 

“We, in the House of Representatives, view with great concern reports from the DOJ (Department of Justice) and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) that Rep. Arnie Teves has applied for political asylum in Timor Leste. I discourage any attempt by our colleague, Cong. Arnie, to seek refuge in other country and abandon his sworn duty to serve as Member of the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said in a statement.

Teves has been tagged as the apparent mastermind behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Rather than evade investigation by Philippine law enforcement agencies, Romualdez called on Teves to face the allegations against him. He also said the House may decide to impose additional sanctions against Teves on top of his 60-day suspension for his continued absence. 

“I had repeatedly assured him that the House of Representatives will secure his personal safety upon his return to the Philippines. Should Cong. Arnie continue to defy the return to work order after the lapse of the 60-day period of his suspension, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges may be constrained to reconvene and consider another possible disciplinary action against him,” added Romualdez.

On Wednesday, Remulla said an Interpol notice has already been issued on Teves.

Teves has maintained innocence on such allegations but has repeatedly refused to return to the country due to safety concerns. His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, also previously said there is no direct evidence linking Teves to the killing of Degamo. —VAL, GMA Integrated News