The House of Representatives on Wednesday imposed an additional 60-day preventive suspension against Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. for violating the House rules and for his disorderly behavior.
With 285 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and only one abstained, the lower chamber adopted the recommendation submitted by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to suspend Teves.&nbsp;
The embattled lawmaker was also stripped from his committee memberships.
"Our colleague, Representatives A. Teves Jr. remains abroad, fails to perform his duties and responsibilities as a member of the House of Representatives, and commits acts detrimental to the House of Representatives and its members. Hence, the committee, for the second time around, exercise its motu proprio authority to assume jurisdiction over his continuous and unauthorized absences in the House of Representatives," House ethics panel chair Felimon Espares said during his sponsorship speech.&nbsp;
House Speaker Martin Romualdez will serve again as the caretaker of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, effective May 31 until July 30.
In his speech, Romuldez reminded the House members to perform their "legislative mandates with utmost competence, efficiency, effectiveness, integrity, and fidelity to the people's welfare", adding that they must "accountable" at all times.
"Hindi natin papayagan na sirain ninuman ang integridad ng Kongreso. Walang personalan dito. Ginagawa lamang natin ang sinumpaan nating tungkuin at pangako sa sambayanan," the House Speaker stressed.
Teves is being tagged as the alleged <a href="https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/remulla-calls-teves-mastermind" target="_blank" rel="noopener">main mastermind </a>behind the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and 10 other civilians in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. But several suspects had already recanted their accusation against Teves.
The lawmaker first filed a leave from his House duties last February 28 and <a href="https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/house-release-travel-authority-of-arnie-teves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this expired on</a> March 9.
But despite his authorized travel clerance expired, <a href="https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/teves-video-statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he refused to return to the country </a>as he stressed that his and his family's lives are in danger.
Teves previously sought a protection visa with the intent of special asylum in East Timor <a href="https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/teves'-asylum-request-denied" target="_blank" rel="noopener">but was denied</a> by the East Timor government.

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House slaps Cong. Teves additional 60 days suspension