Teves suspended anew for 60 days

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives adopted last night a recommendation of its committee on ethics and privileges to suspend Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. anew for 60 days for “disorderly behavior.”

As a consequence, all of Teves’ “rights and privileges as a member of the House of Representatives covering such period are likewise suspended.”

With Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. presiding, the chamber also adopted the panel’s recommendation of “forfeiture of all committee memberships” of Teves.

A committee report read by chairman and COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Esparess showed the panel “found that the unauthorized absences of Teves, aggravated by his act of seeking political asylum in Timor-Leste, resulted in his failure to perform his duties as House member under Section 7, Rule II and violated the Code of Conduct, as set forth in Section 142 (a) and (b), Rule XX of the Rules of the House of Representatives.”

“His actions and all its consequences have compromised the integrity of the House of Representatives and constitute disorderly behavior warranting disciplinary action,” the report stated.