House exec says Pryde Teves called him; here's what they talked about
Former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Teves (MANILA BULLETIN)
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco assured former Negros Oriental congressman and governor Pryde Teves that the chamber would provide the necessary security for his brother, Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr., should the latter decide to return to the Philippines. Thus, said Velasco in a chance interview Wednesday, May 17 wherein he shared details of his conversation with the solon's brother. "Tumawag yung brother niya sakin, si former Congressman Pryde no, sabi niya, kahit siya walang confirmation kung darating talaga siya (His brother, former Congressman Pride, called me and said even he doesn't have confirmation if he'll really arrive home)," Velasco said, referring to Arnolfo. "I assured him (Pryde), kung talagang uuwi siya (if he's really coming home) today, we're willing to give him all the necessary assistance, protection, if ever he will return to the House of Representatives," he said. A day earlier, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla was quoted as saying that Arnolfo would fly back home Wednesday, May 17. The controversial congessman denied any plans of returning to the country in a radio interview on Wednesday morning. Arnolfo has been tagged as the mastermind of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo's brooad daylight assassination last March 4. Degamo is Pryde's political rival. "Kami naman, si (As for us, and) Speaker [Martin Romualdez], as before no, he welcomes the return," noted Velasco, who is the highest-ranked civilian in the House. "In fact he's willing to provide security and other arrangements to Congressman Teves, just like any House member. They will be under our protection pagka bumalik siya at dito nagpunta sa House of Representatives (if he comes back and returns to the House of Representatives)," he said.