The House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Thursday gave Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves an ultimatum of 24 hours to physically attend the hearing on his prolonged absence from duty in the House.
In an interview with the media after the committee's closed-door meeting, Committee head and COOP-NATCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares said Teves have until Tuesday at 4 pm to show up.
If the Negros Oriental governor failed to be present physically, Espares said the committee would impose appropriate sanctions.
"But then once he will appear at our meeting tomorrow, the committee has nothing to do now with regard to disciplinary actions given that he appeared before the deadline," he added.
Teves' legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio earlier said his client would participate in the hearing via teleconferencing. The panel denied Teves' request and required him to attend onsite.
"Hindi allowed 'yung virtual. We need his physical appearance, meaning it's him to report in the House," Espares said.
Teves has yet to return to the country after his travel authority to the United States expired last March 9.
The Negros Congressman then requested a two-month leave of absence, citing the danger to his and his family's security. However, House Speaker Martin Romualdez rejected this.
Teves is being tagged as the mastermind in the murder of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and in the killings perpetuated in Negros Oriental in 2019.
