Teves writes cryptic post; House ethics panel chair reacts to solon's alleged return
Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (Facebook)
Is Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. trumpeting his supposed impending return to the Philippines after nearly three months? In a Facebook post Tuesday night, May 16, the controversial congessman wrote in all capital letters, "READY NABA ANG ALL? 🤪 (Is everybody ready?)" The post coincided with news reports quoting Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Renulla that Teves would fly into the country Wednesday, May 17. Teves, who is tagged as the mastermind of the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, has been out of the country since Feb. 28. He has refused to come back home for fear of his life. Earlier this month, the embattled Teves sought political asylum in Timor-Leste, but his request was turned down. He appealed the rejection. Now, the former House deputy speaker has allegedly decided to go back to the Philippines. Teves is also serving a 60-day suspension from the House of Representatives for "disorderly behavior". This stemmed from his refusal to personally report for work. Sought for comment, COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, chairman of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, called Teves' reported return to the country as a "good development". "I have no idea on action of Cong Teves, but if its true that's [a] good development with regards to his absen[ce] in the House," Espares said. The ethics committee was the panel that suggested the 60-day suspension on Teves. The House plenary unanimously voted on March 22 to uphold the punishment.