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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Teves' 2nd suspension can be appealed, but not sooner than SONA day

Teves' 2nd suspension can be appealed, but not sooner than SONA day

Published Jun 5, 2023 07:06 am
Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (Facebook)

Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.'s second 60-day suspension could still be appealed, but the ongoing legislative break prevents this from happening immediately. According to House Committee Ethics and Privileges Chairman COOP-NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, the earliest that an appeal could be raised is on July 24, 2023, the day of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA). "The appeal can be done in plenary on the first day of our second regular session," Espares said. Teves--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 and is considered absent without official leave. Last May 31, the House plenary--acting on a recommendation by the ethics panel--voted 285-0-1 (yes-no-abstain) to suspend Teves for another 60 days due to "disorderly behavior". As part of the fresh penalties, the solon was also kicked out of his committees. Since May 31 was also the final day of the first regular session of the 19th Congress, the House went on recess shortly after. Teves' latest suspension will lapse on July 31, or a week after the start of the second regular session. This leaves a prospective appeal with little meaningful time to prosper, if at all. Citing Rule 106 of the House, Espares said the appeal must come from a member who voted in the majority,  or those who voted to uphold the penalties. "He can appeal through a motion of any member and be voted by the two-thirds of members. The Committee on Ethics divested our jurisdiction already to the plenary." Asked what would happen if Teves suddenly decides to appear in the House, Espares said: "I think moot and academic na ang appeal." From March 22 to May 22, the controversial solon was also suspended by plenary for disorderly behavior. Teves' legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, appealed the first suspension via letter, but it wasn't accepted by the Espares panel.

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