House Speaker Martin Romualdez says he has not heard from Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. in the past few days.
"I have yet to receive any communication from Cong. Arnie since I appealed to him to return home," Rodriguez, Leyte’s 1st district representative, said in a statement on Monday afternoon, March 13
"I expect Cong. Arnie to heed my appeal and report for work as soon as possible. His stay outside the country is no longer authorized by the House of Representatives," he added.
It was last Friday, March 10 when the House leader appealed to Teves for him to go home and to face the allegations against him.
Teves, who is being implicated in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, has been in the United States (US) since Feb. 28. His House-issued travel clearance expired last March 9.
On Monday, March 13, Teves' legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, claimed in a press conference that the congressman has been trying to communicate with Romualdez.
Topacio said it's to relay information about the situation that was only meant for the Speaker’s ears.
Since Degamo's assassination on March 4, all eyes have been on the Negros Oriental lawmaker's return to the Philippines.
"Nagsalita na ang mga opisyal ng PNP (Philippine National Police officials have already spoken). They are willing to provide security to protect him from bodily harm. All Cong Arnie needs to do is make the appropriate request. Our law enforcers cannot extend this protection outside the Philippines," Romualdez said.