The House of Representatives must be furnished with copies of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s cases before the institution can act on them.

Thus, said House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Friday, March 10 as the plot thickens on Teves’ continued absence in the country.

Teves’ travel clearance from the House in connection with his personal visit to the United States (US) lapsed on Thursday, March 9, and the House–as a matter of ministerial record-keeping–is waiting on the controversial solon’s return to the Philippines.

Although Velasco is aware of Teves’ recent murder cases and alleged implication in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the House has no reason to lift a finger, at least not yet.

“We must be furnished officially. Kasi (Because) we cannot convey this to the congressman concerned until we see the papers,” said Velasco, who is the highest-ranked official in the House who is not a solon.

“Pag-aaralan ng legal team namin kung valid yung mga notifications na yan (Our legal team will first study if the notification is valid) before we notify the congressman concerned,” added the secretary general.

“Once we are served with a notification from DOJ (Department of Justice) or any court of the country, then we have to serve it to the congressman concerned. But so far, we have not received any communication, formal or informal. Nakita lang namin sa news na cases have been filed (We just saw in the news that cases have been filed),” Velasco said.

Velasco added that the House treats every solon-member equally, with no discrimination.

“Kasi pantay-pantay ang tingin namin dyan, hindi namin pwede i-discriminate just because may news kang ganito, ‘Congressman, umuwi ka na (Because we treat them equally, we cannot discriminate just because we saw news like these, ‘Congressman, please go home).’ We must have a basis,” he said.