In a move meant to "protect the image of the House", the Committee on Ethics and Privileges called for a hearing Wednesday morning, March 15 on the continued absence of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.

The committee, chaired by COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, scheduled the hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 15. However, the panel didn't have a quorum to convene as of this posting.

The Espares panel was slated to discuss Committee Resolution No. 1, titled, "Urging the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to assume jurisdiction, motu proprio, to conduct investigation on the case of Rep. Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ A. Teves Jr. relative to his absence without leave in the House of Representatives and without appropriate travel authority".

In a chance interview inside the hearing room, Espares said he called for the meeting "to determine whether or not na may violations ba (whether or not there are violations), and then of course to protect the image of the House".

Teves is being implicated in the broad-daylight assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March 4.

Teves, who left for the Unites States (US) last Feb. 28, was supposed be back in the Philippines last March 9 as per the travel clearance or travel authority that the House issued him.

He has refused to return home for fear of his life and that of his family's. House Speaker Martin Romualdez himself has repeatedly asked him to come home and answer the allegations against him.

As is stands, Teves is reportedly absent without official leave as far as his House duties are concerned.

Asked why the hearing was scheduled on short notice, Espares said, "Of course alam naman natin na mainit ang isyu so at least we will really ensure na may nagawa rin yung ating institution (Of course we know that the issue is hot so at least we will really ensure that our institution did something)."

Espares further said that the ethics panel's proceedings are done in an executive session, meaning it's closed to the media.

"It's always an exclusive meeting for the members because this is part of our House rules, this is [an always confidential] meeting," he said.

As for possible disciplinary actions against Teves, Espares mentioned suspension, or--if the worst happens-- expulsion, and dropping from the rolls.

But he underscored that whatever decision the committee will have will be dependent on the members.

"We are on the administrative aspect to really recommend whatever disciplinary actions," he said.

Asked if he thinks there is "defiance" on the part of Teves, Espares replied, "Not that as saying na defiance, pero syempre alam naman natin na, na-open naman yung media na pinapauwi. So kung wala talagang, ano dahilan na bakit hindi siya makauwi, bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa? (but we know that it's already out in the media that he is being asked to come home. So what's stopping him from coming home, why isn't he here yet?)"