Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves has asked the House of Representatives to grant him a two-month leave of absence due to "very grave concern for his and his family's safety."
In his letter addressed to House Speaker Martin Romualdez released on Wednesday, Teves said the leave would be reckoned from March 9, the day that his first travel authority expired.
"Rest assured that he will come back as soon as the threat will be dealt with accordingly under our laws, and with the aid of the government," he added.
Teves is currently in America for his stem cell treatment.
The request letter was made to the public hours after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges chairman said they would send a formal letter to ask Teves to explain why he has not yet returned to the country despite his travel permit already lapsed.
COOP-NATCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, chairman of the committee, said they will give Teves five days to reply.
The Negros Oriental Congressman is currently facing three counts of murder in connection to the killings perpetuated in Negros Oriental back in 2019.
He has been tagged as the alleged mastermind who ordered the assassination of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
Teves and his sons are also facing charges for illegal possession of firearms.
