Suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves on Monday said he would not return to the country despite several suspects withdrawing their testimony that linked him in the Degamo slay case.
In a virtual press conference with reporters, Teves once again stressed that there is a "threat" against his life.
He added that he would not come home unless authorities showed a "semblance of fairness."
"Hangga't hindi binawi ni Bonjing [Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla] 'yung sinabi niyang 99 percent solve na at sabihin niyang sinungaling siya doon, I will not see a semblance of fairness," Teves said.
The suspended lawmakers pointed out that authorities were not fair in the investigation from the beginning.
"Uulitin ko, kung baga sa basketball, hindi agad nagsisimula 'yung laro ay may panalo na. Sa tingin niyo fair iyon? Hindi 'diba? Again, ang hinihingi ko ay semblance of fairness. Kung unfair sila, pati sa security ng buhay ko ay unfair sila," he said, referring to him being tagged as the main mastermind during the early phase of the case.
Meanwhile, Teves' legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio disclosed that the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges rejected their plea to allow Teves to attend the hearing about his absence through videoconferencing.
"Gusto nila physical or personal and he cannot be represented by a counsel. Although, we take exemption to that. Our remedies should lie elsewhere," he added.
Five suspects have already executed their affidavit of recantation which withdraws their earlier allegation that Teves is the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and 10 others.
The five were identified as Jhudiel Rivero, Romel Pattaguan, Dahniel Loraz, Rogelio Antipolo Jr., and Joven Javier.
Both Javier and Rivero claimed that they were tortured and coerced to point Teves as the culprit in the crime.
