Widow of Negros Oriental Gov. Degamo seeks freeze of Rep. Arnie Teves’ assets

The wife of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo appealed to authorities to freeze the accounts and properties of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.

“Ifreeze natin yung kanyang account, yung kanilang properties (His account and properties should be frozen) because that can still be translated to liquid money,” Janice Degamo, who is also Pamplona town mayor, said on a “24 Oras” report by Chino Gaston on Friday.

Two arrested suspects, Joric Labrador and Benjie Rodriguez, both former soldiers, earlier said a certain “Cong Teves” ordered the hit on Degamo, who was killed at his residence in Pamplona town on March 4.

Teves denied that he and his brother Henry were involved in the killing of Degamo amid allegations that the incident was politically motivated. The Teveses are political rivals of the Degamo family.

The mayor also asked for an investigation into the other killings linked to Teves.

“[The] Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) dapat titingnan nang mabuti kasi marami sa mga patayan sa Negros ang cause yung land [grabbing], yung lupa,” she said.

(The DAR should look into the killings in Negros due to land grabbing.)

“Ito lang ang iparating ko sa national government, I hope we will not focus on the killings only. I hope we will focus sa ‘faucet’ ng pera nila through online sabong, yung mga tao nila maano yung unexplained wealth,” Mayor Fritz Diaz of Siaton town said.

(We ask the national government not to focus only on the killings. I hope we will focus on the “faucet” of their money from online cockfighting, their people, and the unexplained wealth.)

The House committee on ethics and privileges is set to hold another hearing on Monday to discuss the fate of Teves as House member, according to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

The panel has given Teves until Monday, March 20, to respond to its letter explaining his failure to return to the Philippines after his travel clearance expired.

“Kung walang reply, we can rule in our committee. Kung may reply (If there is no reply, we can rule in our committee. If there is a reply), we will do the process. And then if the committee is not satisfied we might be able to have an appropriate ruling,” Rep. Felimon Espares, panel chairperson, said.

Espares said he is hoping that Teves will physically attend the hearing.

“We cannot compel him but of course, we are happy supposed if he can appear. That’s his option. Pag physical, mas madali na. Mas appropriate action (If he attends physically, it’s easier and more appropriate action),” he said.

The committee is targeting to release its decision before Congress goes recess on March 25.

“Hindi naman nya inoorderan sabi lang niya (He did not order him that) he should come home to face the allegations. It’s a statement of concern, iyan po ay mukang (it is like a) friendly advice,” Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Teves, said on Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier urged Teves to reconsider his decision not to return to the Philippines for the meantime amid the complaints filed against him.

Topacio said he hoped the committee would understand the situation of Teves.

On the request of the House committee for Teves to appear personally in the hearing, he said there are House rules allowing virtual attendance at sessions if there is sufficient reason.

“Bakit fixated kay Representative Teves, yun lang amin fair play, sorting idea of fair play presumption of innocence,” Topacio said.

GMA Integrated News sought comment from Teves’ camp on the assets freeze appeal of Degamo’s family.

Teves earlier denied his involvement in any alleged killings.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) maintained that fear of security is not enough reason for Teves not to return to the country.

The department also denied allegations of framing up the lawmaker.

“Ayaw umuwi yata ni (He doesn’t want to go home) Congressman Teves because he's fearing for his safety. These are poor excuses not to face the charges. Flight is an indication of guilt,” DOJ secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

The DOJ said it is also studying the appeal of Degamo’s family to freeze the assets of Teves.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News