Defying an ultimatum set by his peers, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. did not show up during Tuesday’s hearing by the House ethics and privileges committee which is looking into his unauthorized absence from the chamber.
“The continuing failure of Representative Teves to heed the order to appear before the panel leaves us [with] no choice but to wrap up the investigation in his case without his valid explanation,” Espares said.
Sought for comment, Speaker Martin Romualdez praised the committee for “acting expeditiously on the case, in consonance with the committee’s mandate and in compliance with the Rules of the House to punish its members for disorderly behavior.” Nine of the suspected gunmen, mostly former soldiers, in Degamo’s assassination are now in the government’s custody, with a number of them confessing to the crime and pointing to a “Cong Teves” as the alleged mastermind, investigators said.His lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the congressman feared for his life but would return to the Philippines in due time.
But Remulla said he wanted other people to be present should such a conversation materialize “because I don’t want words twisted.”Four more suspects in the Degamo killing have surrendered, according to Remulla, bringing to nine the number of those in custody. He added that the authorities were looking for at least three more people, although almost everybody on the “attack team” was now in detention.
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