House Speaker Martin Romualdez has confirmed talking to Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teve Jr., who is being implicated in the broad-daylight assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March 4. "Cong. Arnie Teves got in touch with me through a phone call last night from an undetermined location. He expressed fear for the safety of his person and his family, saying this is the reason why he refuses to return home at this time," Romualdez said in a statement Tuesday afternoon, March 14. 'I assured him that the Speaker, as the political and administrative leader of the House of Representatives, will exert all efforts to ensure the personal safety of all members," said the House leader, who represents Leyte’s 1st district. "In fact, I have ordered the House Sergeant-at-Arms to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and prepare appropriate security arrangements for his return," he added. "Pero inulit ko rin kay Cong. Arnie (But I also repeated to Cong. Arnie), he needs to go home and report for work immediately as he no longer has the authority to travel outside the country. Gusto rin naming marinig sa Kongreso ang panig niya (We in Congress also want to hear his side)," Romualdez said. "Kung may kaso man siyang kailangang harapin, dapat niya itong harapin. Dito sa loob ng bansa, at hindi sa labas (If he has charges to address, then he must do so. Here in the country, not outside of it)," he further said. Teves left for the United States (US) last Feb. 28, supposedly for a stem cell treatment. His travel clearance from the House of Representatives indicted a return date of March 9.