Arnie Teves expulsion from House still an option —Sec Gen

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Wednesday said "expulsion" remains an option for the House of Representatives in the case of suspended Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.

“Kasama yan sa mga possible actions under our House Rules but I cannot preclude the Committee on Ethics from making any decision,” Velasco told reporters.

Velasco said Teves’ 60-day suspension for disorderly behavior will end on May 22. But the secretary general could not say what will happen to Teves after that. 

“We hope the Committee on Ethics will have some action on it. As you know, wala tayong precedent kasi dito. Wala pang nangyayari sa House na similar situation,” Velasco said.

Previously, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said that "additional sanctions" may be imposed on Teves due to his continued absence.

The House Committee on Ethics is meeting on Wednesday, but not about Teves.

This comes a day after Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said that Teves is returning to the country, which Teves denied in a message to GMA Integrated News.  

Velasco said he has not received any confirmation on Teves’ return.

“Wala kaming confirmation. I mean it has to come from him or his representative, in this case, yung Atty. Topacio, di ba? But so far, up to this time, wala kaming nareceive na confirmation that he is really arriving or returning today. We’re still waiting,” the secretary general said.

Velasco also said Teves’ brother former Negros Oriental Gov. Henry Pryde Teves called him to say even he does not know when the suspended congressman is scheduled to return to the Philippines.

“Sabi niya, kahit siya walang confirmation kung darating talaga siya,” Velasco said.

Teves earlier said he feared coming home because of threats to his life and family. But the House of Representatives has repeatedly assured they will ensure his safety.

“Kami naman, si Speaker, as before, we welcome the return. In fact, he is willing to provide arrangements to Cong. Teves just like any House member. He will be under our protection pag bumalik siya at dito nagpunta sa House of Representatives,” Velasco stressed.

Any action against Teves will need a 2/3 vote of all members in plenary.

“It’s really up to the committee on ethics to submit their recommendations. And then it has to be voted upon by the plenary. So we hope that before the end of this session, there will be some action on the part of the Committee on Ethics and the plenary of the House of Representatives. As you know, it requires 2/3 para decisive yung action ng House,” Velasco added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Teves' camp for comment but they have yet to reply as of posting time. 

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday morning arrived at the Department of Justice, carrying boxes of documents related to the filing of murder complaints against Teves.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said Teves appears to be the "main mastermind" behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. —VAL, GMA Integrated News