Marcos says he discussed Teves' asylum application with Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak.
Timor Leste had rejected Teves' application but the lawmaker can appeal the decision.
Teves, who has been out of the country since February 28, is being linked to the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March.
Marcos tells Teves: Come home
May 11, 2023 11:05 AM
At a glance
"Come home."
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Argyll Geducos) and Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (File)
This was the advice of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to embattled congressman Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. after Timor Leste denied his request to seek political asylum in the country.
Marcos said this following his bilateral meeting with Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak on the sidelines of the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on Wednesday, May 11.
In an interview with the Philippine media onboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR001, Marcos said he discussed the matter with Timor Leste's Prime Minister, who told him that Teves could appeal the country's move to reject his application.
"It turns out that Congressman Arnie Teves applied for political asylum but was denied. Yun lang (That's it)," he said.
"So, I think they will continue to go through the process— may (there is an) appeals process for those who are applying. Yun, but na-deny (But his was denied)," he added.
WATCH: President Marcos tells embattled Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to "come home" after Timor Leste denied his application for asylum in their country. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/fyf1zTuAhb
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyll_mb) May 11, 2023
Marcos said the Philippine government would wait for the entire process to conclude.
"We'll just wait for the process to complete," he said.
When asked for his advice to the embattled lawmaker, Marcos had two words.
"Come home. That's the best advice I can give him. Come home," the President said.
Teves, who has been out of the country since February 28, is being linked to the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March. He has denied involvement in the case.
Since then, Teves has refused to return to the country, prompting the House of Representatives to suspend him for 60 days for failure to return to the Philippines and face the Ethics Committee despite the expiration of his US visa.
As a suspended lawmaker, Teves's privileges and immunities are also suspended.