Senate nixes Teves virtual presence at hearing
SENATOR Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesyerday presides over an inquiry into the brazen assassination of incumbent Negros Oriental Go. Roel Degamo and the spate of recent political assassinations in the country.
“The Senate is not a court of law. However, this does not mean that we do not bear the responsibility to prevent the proliferation of evil,” Dela Rosa said.
The committee members unanimously agreed not to allow the virtual presence of suspended Negros Oreintal Arnolfo Teves jr., who was being implicated in the murder of Degamo.
Teves reportedly signified his intent to attend the Senate panel inquiry virtually.
The Degamo murder and other political assassinations led to the filing of Senate Resolution No. 518 by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.
For her part, Sen. Hontiveros expresses alarm over the continued killing of local officials, particularly in the provinces and appeals to Teves to face all the accusations and charges against him at the proper court.
“So for Rep. Teves, I hope you come home to deal with the issues and charges against you. Sir, to reassure everyone, I hope you will appear here at our hearing physically and not virtually,” Hontiveros insisted.
Hontiveros said Mayor Janice Degamo, wife of slain Negros Oriental Governor is objecting to Rep. Teves virtual testimony.
“I believe that our rules of procedure governning inquiries, in aid of legislation require that witnesses t our proceedings be placed under oath or affirmation prior to giving their testimony. Because if a potential witness is abroad, he has to be sworn at the embassy or consulate and give his testimony, ” Mrs. Degamo said.
Senator Ramon Bong Revilla express his disdain over the killing of Degamo that involved allegedly by some of the former military men last March.
“The government spent resources to train these people to protect our country and our countryment. But instead, theyuse these specialized skills to inflict harm and terror, ” Revilla lamented.
Revilla also warned the perpetrators against using their power and influence to get away from liabilities in the crime.
“there is no place for cruelty and lawlessness in our country. Your brutality will never be tolerated. You can never escape liability especially under our watchl,” Revilla was quoted as saying.
Sen. JV Ejercito for his part reminded the legal counsel of Teves will not be allowed to appear for their clients who are absent during the hearing/investigations.
“The legal counsel should only be there to give advice to the resource person,” Ejercito made the remark after the committee unanimously rejected the plea of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., to only attend the hearing.
Senators were one in saying that Teves should face all accusation hurled against him properly if he thinks he is innocent as he earlier claimed.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has called on Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves to return to the Philippines and appear before a Senate hearing related to the assassination of provincial governor Roel Degamo on March 4.
Speaking during a Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee hearing, Remulla said that there is no warrant against Teves.
The committee, led by former national police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, unanimously decided not to allow Teves to attend the hearing virtually.
The wife of the slain governor, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, has urged senators not to allow Teves to participate via video teleconferencing.
Teves has expressed reluctance to return to the country, claiming that he is under threat and will be killed if he appears before the Senate panel, according to dela Rosa.
The daylight attack on the governor’s residence in Pamplona town resulted in at least nine deaths, including the governor’s.
Witnesses reported that heavily armed suspects wearing camouflage uniforms carried out the attack while the governor was meeting beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The governor was killed 19 days after the Supreme Court declared him the winner of the contested gubernatorial race in his province.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will seek to designate Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terror Law, in addition to criminal and administrative charges against him.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla made the announcement during a Senate committee hearing on Monday that was investigating the assassination of provincial governor Roel Degamo.
“Sec. Boying Remulla pointed out that the DOJ will initiate moves before the Court of Appeals for the proscription of suspended Congressman Arnie Teves as a ‘Terrorist’ pursuant to the Anti-Terror Law or Section 4 of R.A. 11749,” Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said in a message to reporters.
Clavano said Teves’ alleged involvement in multiple murders, as well as the recruitment of gunmen and use of high-powered firearms, falls within the coverage of the Anti-Terror Law.
Earlier in the day, the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, chaired by former national police chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, unanimously decided not to allow Teves to participate in the hearing virtually.
The wife of the slain governor, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, also urged senators not to permit Teves to participate via video teleconferencing.
Teves, who is abroad and has not returned to the country, has expressed reluctance to appear before the Senate panel, claiming that he is under threat and will be killed. By PS Jun M. Sarmiento and Hector Lawas
