Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnie Teves said he is currently abroad for stem cell treatment.
Teves made this revelation in a video message posted Monday morning, March 6 on his Facebook account.
"Magandang umaga sa lahat ng aking mga palangga, sa ating mga kababayan, at sa lahat ng mga marites at epal dyan (Good morning to all my provincemates, to my countrymen, and to all rumor-mongers and nosy people out there)," he said at the start of his message.
"Pagpasensyahan niyo na na medyo natagalan itong medyo matagal niyo nang hinihintay. Alam ko ang daming gusto humingi ng reaksyon ko tungkol sa pangyayari sa aming probinsya sa Negros Oriental (I'm sorry that this took long, I know you've been waiting for this. I know a lot of people are asking for my reaction about the occurrence in our province of Negros Occidental)," he said, alluding to the assassination provincial Governor Roel Degamo on Saturday morning, March 4.
"Na-delay lang ito ng konti dahil nasa abroad din ako dahil overdue na ang aking pagpapagamot, ang aming pagpapalagay ng aking stem cell. Eh ang doktor ko ay hindi bumalik so kailangan ko siyang puntahan (This was delayed a bit because I'm abroad right now for an overdue medication, for a stem cell treatment. But my doctor didn't come, so I had to follow my doctor)," explained Teves.
"Awa ng Diyos, tapos nanaman po. Eh kailangan din natin ng ating health dahil health is wealth (By God's grace, it's finished. I also need my health because health is wealth)," he added.
Teves was coughing and clearing his throat in between sentences.