House Speaker Martin Romualdez had a "private meeting" with Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves' legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Wednesday night, March 15, the former has confirmed. Romualdez, in a statement sent to House of Representatives reporters Thursday morning, March 16, said the meeting was sought by Topacio "to personally relay some concerns of his client". "In that meeting, I reiterated my stand that Cong. Arnie should return to the country and report for work at once," Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district representative, said. The House leader then relayed to Topacio the decision of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate Teves' refusal to heed a direct order from the Speaker for him to come back home after the expiration of his travel authority last March 9. "The Committee on Ethics has already acquired jurisdiction on Cong. Arnie’s case. I will act accordingly after the Committee wraps up its investigation and submits its recommendation to the House leadership," Romualdez said. "I also reiterated the assurance that the Speaker and the entire House leadership will exert all means necessary to pave the way for Cong. Arnie’s safe return to the country," he added. "I strongly urge Cong. Arnie to reconsider his decision not to return. It does not sit well for a House Member to flee the country rather than avail himself of all the legal remedies available to him," Romualdez further said. The House had earlier issued Teves a travel authority or travel clearance covering the dates Feb. 28 to March 9. He reportedly had stem cell treatment in the United States (US). Teves is being implicated in the broad-daylight assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March 4. He had earlier said that he doesn't want to the Philippines at the moment for fear of his life and his family's.