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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Was Teves misadvised in seeking political asylum in Timor-Leste? Duavit wonders

Was Teves misadvised in seeking political asylum in Timor-Leste? Duavit wonders

Published Jun 1, 2023 12:45 am
Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (Facebook)



Was Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. "misadvised" into seeking political asylum in Timor-Leste, an act that had resulted in him getting suspended anew by the Philippine House of Representatives? His Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) party-mate, Rizal 1st district Rep. Michael John Duavit, raised this thought during plenary session Wednesday night, May 31, just minutes after the House imposed a second 60-day suspension against Teves. The Committee on Ethics and Privileges had endorsed to plenary the suspension, as well as the removal of committee designations, on Teves earlier Wednesday for his continued refusal to come back to the Philippines and perform his functions as a congressman. Ethics panel chairman, COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares cited Teves' attempt to seek political asylum in Timor-Leste last month as an aggravating circumstance. This caused Duavit to wonder, "Perhaps he (Teves) was misadvised, perhaps he did not see that by applying in Timor-Leste that this was the accusation that he has brought on our state." Duavit, in his explanation on his vote to uphold the ethics panel's recommended penalty against Teves, delved into what seeking political asylum implies. “When you apply fo political asylum, you are making the accusation that your country does not have the capability to offer protection for those persecuted or that your own country is unwilling to provide protection for the persecuted. Worst of all, it may also imply that your very own country, your very own government is the perpetrator of such persecution,” said Duavit, secretary general of NPC. "These are accusations are so great that in the over 100 years...from the first Congress to today's Congress, the possibility of such a thing even happening has never been considered," he said, adding that such action has caused "discredit to the House of Representatives and the Philippine government". 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. Teves' legal counsel is lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. The Visayas solon sought political asylum in the Southeast Asian country early last month, but was turned down by its government. He wemt as far as to appeal the rejection. The House plenary voted 285-0-1 (yes-no-abstain) during Wednesday's session on the recommendation to impose fresh penalties against Teves.

Related Tags

Michael John Duavit Atty. Ferdinand Topacio arnolfo teves jr Timor-Leste roel degamo asylum
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