Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. sought to deliver a privilege speech during plenary session Monday, March 20.

However, things didn't go as planned for Teves, who remains out of the country.

A letter addressed to House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe indicated that Teves had requested to be allowed to address the plenary Monday.

"The undersigned would like to request for a privilege speech on today's [plenary] session today, March 20, 2022, via Zoom. Thank you for your kind attention," read the short letter, which Teves signed.

Plenary session began at 3 p.m., with at least 10 bills up for third and final reading based on what had been passed by the body in previous weeks.

But at 5:36 p.m., the session was rather abruptly adjourned. There will still be plenary sessions on Tuesday (March 21) and Wednesday (March 22), before Congress goes on a six-week summer break.

Dalipe chairs the powerful Committee on Rules, which lays out practically everything that happens on the plenary floor.

Monday is traditionally the day for "privilege hour" in the House. Anything under the sun can be discussed in a privilege speech.

Four House members were able to deliver their respective privileges Monday. These were Laguna 2nd district Rep. Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.

Also on Monday, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges rejected Teves' virtual attendance in its hearing. The panel is has-been tackling the Visayan's continued absence following the expiration of his travel clearance from the House.

Teves is being implicated in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. Degamo was gunned down outside his home last March 4.

His travel clearance covered the dates Feb. 28 to March 9.