Embattled Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. has officially asked the House of Representatives for a two-month leave of absence.

Teves cited security concerns in his request, which was confirmed received by the House leadership on Wednesday night, March 15.

"The undersigned representative of the third district of Negros Oriental humbly plea and request that he be granted a two-month leave of absence due to very grave security threat to his life and his family, to be reckoned from March 9, 2023," Teves said in his one-page letter addressed to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

"Rest assured that he will come back as soon as the threat will be dealt with accordingly under our laws, and with the aid of the government. Thank you for your kind attention," it added.

Teves, who is thought to be out of the country, signed the letter. It was dated March 9.

There is as yet no response to Teves' request for the two-month leave of absence.

The House had earlier issued him a travel authority or travel clearance covering the dates Feb. 28 to March 9. Teves reportedly had stem cell treatment in the United States (US).

Teves' request for a two-month leave of absence

The veteran congressman and former deputy speaker is being implicated in the broad-daylight assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Teves earlier sought an extension to his travel clearance up to April 9, but his request lacked key details and was therefore deemed not valid by the House.

Also on Wednesday, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges took jurisdiction of Teves' expired travel clearance.