Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Screenshot from Facebook)

Major factions in the House of Representatives have come out to support the chamber's decision in plenary to expel erstwhile Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. 

The National Unity Party (NUP), Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), and Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) released such statements in the hours following Teves' getting kicked out as a House member in the 19th Congress upon the recommendation of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. 

"We, members of the National Unity Party , firmly stand behind the decision of the House of Representatives to expel Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. for gross violations of his oath of office and disorderly behavior as a member of the 19th Congress," said NUP President and Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte. 

"The evidence presented against Rep. Teves is strong and deeply concerning. Seeking political asylum in another nation without concrete reason and abandoning his law-making duties, have put in jeopardy the trust that the people of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental have placed in him. Moreover, the tarnish on our institution's reputation wrought by the designation of its member as a 'terrorist' demands immediate and decisive action," he said, citing finding made by the ethics panel chaired by COOP NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares. 

"We commend the House Committee on Ethics for its meticulous investigation, and stand united with our fellow House Members in ensuring that the integrity of the House remains uncompromised," added Villafuerte. 

For his part, PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary-General for Mindanao Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel said: "With firm resolve, we express our unambiguous endorsement for the expulsion of Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr." 

Teves left the Philippines last Feb. 28 and hasn't return despite repeated calls from the House leadership. Since May, he has been trying to gain political asylum in Timor-Leste. 

Teves has been tagged as the mastermind in the broad-daylight assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March 4. 

"A representative's primary duty is to ardently advocate for their constituents, a commitment from which Rep. Teves has egregiously deviated, evident from his sustained absences and efforts to seek asylum elsewhere. The constituents of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental, whom we pledge to serve tirelessly, have been unjustly deprived by Rep. Teves's lack of diligence," Pimentel said. 

The Mindanaoan added that Teves' designation as a terrorist earlier this month was "an affront to the sanctity and honor of our institution". 

Meanwhile, PCFi Chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co said of the expulsion of Teves: "We, with resolute purpose, support the decision to uphold the honor, dignity, and legacy of the House of Representatives by expelling Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr." 

Co echoed Villafuerte and Pimentel in saying that it's "both an honor and a pledge" to serve one's constituents as a member of Congress.  

"In this bond, the needs of the 3rd district of Negros Oriental must always be paramount. Regrettably, Rep. Teves's extended sojourns and overseas endeavors have called this bond into question," he said. 

Co added that the "weighty implications of labeling an elected member of the House as a 'terrorist' are profound". 

"Such serious designations, when confirmed, threaten to blemish the honor and standing of our venerated institution both at home and on the global stage," Co further said.