Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves no-showed the March 21, Tuesday hearing of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, forcing the panel to "reach a conclusion" on its motu proprio probe on his continued absence without official leave.

"The committee has reached a conclusion by a unanimous voting and we will transmit and submit our report at once and recommendation to the plenary for appropriate action," committee chairman and COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares said in a press briefing Tuesday afternoon right after the closed-door meeting.

Asked what penalty awaits the missing Teves, Espares said, "In compliance with our committee rules of procedures however the committee is not at liberty to disclose to the public the content of our report and recommendations pending our submission and deliberation in the plenary."

Wednesday, March 22, is the final plenary session date before Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) goes on a six-week summer recess.

The ethics panel had told Teves to appear in person for Tuesday's proceedings after the former deputy speaker tried to participate virtually in an earlier hearing Monday. The request for his virtual appearance was rejected by the committee.

"We also gave him ample time to appear in person before the committee and explain to the House members the valid reason for his unauthorized absence from duty," Espares said of Teves.

Teves, who is being implicated in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, remains out of the country.

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).