MANILA – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said Timor-Leste is “on solid ground” with its decision to reject the asylum request of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.
He said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. might even express a well-deserved gratitude for the respect and good gesture Timor-Leste had shown after it turned down Teves’ asylum bid.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he would just acknowledge and thank the Timor-Leste leader for the action taken by his government because that is the right course of action … President Marcos is one who is very, very respectful of protocol and processes, due process,” he said in an interview on Wednesday night.
Romualdez is in Labuan Baju, Indonesia as part of Marcos’ delegation at the ongoing 42nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Timor-Leste is an observer country in the ASEAN.
Romualdez acknowledged and commended the government of Timor-Leste for directly rejecting Teves’ request, describing it as correct course of action.
He renewed his call on Teves to return to the Philippines and face the charges in connection with the brutal killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in March this year.
“Sana naman umuwi na si Cong. Arnie Teves para magiging moot na ‘yung suspension at gusto talaga nating bumalik siya at humarap talaga sa mga charges sa kanya (We wish for Cong Arnie Teves to come home to make his suspension moot and we really want him come back and face the charges against him),” Romualdez said.
He said if Teves fails to return, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges might recommend further sanctions against the suspended lawmaker.
“Obviously it has come to the knowledge of the government of Timor-Leste that there are indeed pending charges and more allegations…they are aware that when he (Teves) left the country that these weren’t apparent,” Romualdez said.
The House of Representatives suspended Teves for 60 days late in March for failure to return to the country and face the ethics panel despite the expiration of his US visa.
Romualdez said as a suspended lawmaker, Teves’ privileges and immunities are also suspended and certainly cannot be used to evade justice. (PNA)
