Senate to give Teves chance to be heard – Bato

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be given the chance to be heard if he attends the public hearing of the Senate committee on public order on his alleged involvement in high-profile murder cases in the province, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

Dela Rosa said Teves was invited as a resource speaker in the public hearing of his committee next week. He clarified that the hearing will not cover the criminal cases against Teves being handled by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Hopefully, Congressman Arnie Teves can join us… even via Zoom if he is still abroad,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with Senate reporters online.

He said the public hearing will cover policy matters involving individuals having bodyguards and private armies as well as gun control.

“The legal aspect is well handled. The DILG and DOJ are on top of it,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the cases filed against the suspended congressman in connection with the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others.

“The main focus of this investigation is more on policy matters. Let us look at having bodyguards, about having private armies, about gun control. All policy matters which could be touched and address policy gaps through legislation, then we can do that,” the senator said.

But he did not rule out gathering additional evidence in the course of the public hearing, which the prosecution might use to make the case against Teves airtight.

The senator said the public hearing might also touch on other related killings in Negros Oriental that were not properly investigated then as few or no witnesses had come forward for fear of reprisals from perpetrators of the killings.

When asked how he intended to prevent other politicians from using the committee hearing for their political advantage, Dela Rosa said that as an experienced and retired police investigator, he is capable of protecting the committee.

“But then again, since this is a public hearing, let us accommodate all those who want to testify. For all we know, justice will prevail in this hearing,” he added.

“Maybe some witnesses have long wanted to come out but are afraid to because they know the suspect as high and mighty and powerful. But now, he’s no longer powerful so they can come out in the open,” he said.

The House of Representatives approved the suspension of Teves after he refused to return to the country and report for work amid allegations of his involvement in high-profile murders, including Degamo’s.

The suspended congressman went on medical leave in the US on Feb. 28, four days before the assassination of Degamo. He is believed to still be in the US.