Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio in a press conference.
LAWYER Ferdinand Topacio said Monday Negros Oriental Representatives Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will participate in Monday’s House ethics committee’s hearing following his continued no show in Congress proceedings.
Topacio, in a press briefing, said Speaker Martin Romualdez has denied the two-month leave of absence requested by the lawmaker. Teves is currently out of the country and is seeking medical treatment.
“May mga information na gusto niya (Teves) ibahagi sa House Committee on Ethics, kung bakit siya fine-frame-up, kung bakit hindi siya makasipot ng personal. This is a matter of life and death,” Topacio said.
Teves, whose travel authority expired on March 9, is facing separate criminal complaints in connection with illegal firearms and killings perpetrated in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Arrested suspects in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, meanwhile, have pointed to a certain “Cong Teves” as the one who allegedly ordered the hit on the victim.
Teves has denied having a hand in the killing of Degamo, and the Justice Department earlier said it is looking at all angles and other personalities and not just focusing its investigation on Teves.
“Magpa-participate si Congressman Teves via teleconference sa hearing mamaya. They said they are eager to hear the side of Congressman Teves. You can even vote via teleconference. Baka makita nilang valid iyong reasons ni Congressman Teves at baka maunawaan nila,” Topacio added.
