Former Congressman Arnie Teves (ABS-CBN photo courtesy)

In a landmark occurrence, the House of Representatives has ousted Congressman Arnie Teves, marking an unprecedented event following a series of deliberations by the House ethics committee that culminated in his removal.

On Wednesday, August 16, the House of Representatives expelled Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the representative of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental.

This historic development is significant for a legislative body that has not taken such a step towards any of its members since the reestablishment of a bicameral Congress in 1987.

A decisive 265 legislators cast their votes to remove Teves from his position due to his disruptive behavior and breach of the code of conduct. The recommendation received unanimous support, with no opposing votes, although three members from the Makabayan bloc abstained from the decision.

The House ethics committee, which had held seven private sessions since March to discuss Teves’ case, conveyed the recommendation to the plenary.

Before the events of Wednesday, Teves had already faced two 60-day suspensions within the House: the first in March and the subsequent one in May.

House leaders had repeatedly called upon Teves to return and address the multiple allegations against him, notably concerning his alleged involvement in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in February.

However, Teves chose to disregard these appeals, asserting that he was unable to return home due to perceived grave threats to his life.

Departing the country in February, shortly after Degamo’s demise, Teves had cited medical grounds for his travel clearance, which had expired by March.

Grounds for Teves’ Expulsion

The House’s decision to expel Teves was motivated by the following factors:

Teves’ pursuit of political asylum in Timor-Leste, which was construed as an abandonment of his public office responsibilities

Teves’ continuous absence from the House, violating established House regulations

Teves’ inappropriate conduct on social media, where he shared a video of himself dancing in just a tank top and boxer shorts, causing reputational damage to the House

Felimon Espares, the chairman of the ethics committee, announced, “This committee, with the unanimous agreement of its members, advises the House of Representatives to enforce the penalty of expulsion from the House of Representatives upon Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.”

(Source: AI/mnm)