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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ethics panel rejects Mayor Degamo's request to expel Teves; here's why

Ethics panel rejects Mayor Degamo's request to expel Teves; here's why

Published May 17, 2023 07:00 am
COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares (Contributed photo)





The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges has essentially rejected Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo's letter, which sought the expulsion from the chamber of controversial Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. The reason? The letter-slash-request lacked "form and content", according to committee chairman COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares. "Actually we have decided and we have already responded, we have already replied. So for your information, the complaint [was] not able to qualify or pass its requirement in form and content," Espares told House reporters in a chance interview Wednesday, May 17. "Unang-una (First of all), it is not a sworn complaint. So pag hindi siya sworn complaint hindi na yan mag-qualify dito sa committee (If it's not a sworn complaint, it won't qualify in this committee). So there are a lot of requirements also according to our committee rules dapat i-comply (that must be complied with)," he explained. "Per record, we replied, my letter, my response was April 4. Nag-reply na ako informing her na unsworn yung kanyang complaint and lack of content also based on our committee (I already replied to her informing her that her complaint was unsworn and lacked content based on our committee)," he added. Espares futher said that upon the dismissal or return of the complaint, a "mere cure or amendment" to the "defects" of the document won't be reason enough for the committee to entertain it. Mayor Degamo is the wife of Negros Oriental Governor Roel, who was assassinated outside their home in Pamplona, Negros Oriental last March 4. Teves, who has been out of the country since late Feb. 28, has been tagged as the mastermind of the killing. Fearing for his life, he has ignored calls to return to the Philippines. Teves is also serving a 60-day suspension for "disorderly behavior". The Espares panel recommended the penalty, which was unanimously upheld by the House plenary via nominal vote last March 22. The House received the lady mayor's letter at around the time.

Related Tags

roel degamo Felimon Espares Rep. Arnolfo Teves Janice Degamo Committee on Ethics
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