THE House of Representatives, in an unprecedented move, expelled Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. from the chamber for “disorderly behavior” and “for violation of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives.”

In a historic vote of 265 against zero and three abstentions presided by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the House Members voted in plenary to adopt the unanimous recommendation of the House committee on ethics and privileges to meet the maximum penalty of expulsion on Teves.

In their report to the Plenary, the House committee on ethics and privileges led by COOP-NATCCO party-list Rep. Felimon Espares, laid out clear and undeniable evidence that Rep. Arnie Teves, Jr. violated his Oath of Office and displayed disorderly behavior.

“After a thorough discussion on the matter, taking into consideration fairness and due regard by giving due notice to the respondent, and on the basis of the substantial evidence acquired by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, this Committee, by a unanimous vote of its members, recommends to the House of Representatives, the imposition of the penalty of EXPULSION from the House of Representatives upon Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. With this, it is now incumbent for this honorable body to decide whether or not to adopt our recommendation considering our steadfast commitment to uphold the rule of law and standard of morality in the House of Representatives.

We stand at the crossroads of history. Let us make the informed, even if painful choice, to stand by our People and remain the honorable Representatives, the Filipino people deserve,” Espares told his colleagues in his sponsorship speech.

“It is important to emphasize that the Committee has always been consistent in its efforts to ferret out the truth and exercise prudence and a high degree of restraint in recommending any sanction
against a colleague. Following the outcome of the investigation, however, and taking into consideration the gravity of the misconduct committed by our colleague, the Committee was compelled to make this hard decision as there was more than sufficient basis to call for such legislative discipline on the basis of substantial evidence gathered during the investigation,” he said.

The most glaring of these violations is his continuous attempt to seek political asylum in Timor-Leste and his prolonged, unjustified absence, which is tantamount to the abandonment of his office.

This, the Committee noted, has directly affected the constituents of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, depriving them of the representation they rightfully deserve from someone they elected into office.

“The prolonged unauthorized absence of Rep. A. Teves Jr. deprives the 3rd District of Negros Oriental of proper representation and undermines the efficiency of the legislative process. Instead of
actively participating in deliberations on important legislative measures pending in the House, the representative refuses to return to the country and perform his duties as House Member. All these actuations of a legislative district representative weakens the institution’s effectiveness in serving the public and tarnishes the integrity and reputation of the House,” the Committee explained.

Rep. A. Teves Jr.’s continuous absence in the House of Representatives, taken together with his continuous pursuit of his application for political asylum in Timor-Leste, effectively shows intent to abandon his public office undermining public service.

In its Committee Report No. 660, the Committee confirmed that Rep. A. Teves, Jr. applied for political asylum in Timor-Leste which was denied because “no facts are known to confirm the existence of any kind of persecution or serious threat to his citizen’s rights, freedom and guarantees,” it added.

In light of two repeated denied asylum attempts, Rep. A. Teves, Jr.’s actions reportedly show a clear intention of relinquishing his duties as a representative. Such behavior, when combined with his persistent absence, demonstrates a definitive intent to abandon his public office.

“Abandonment of an office is the voluntary relinquishment of an office by the holder with the intention of terminating his possession and control thereof. In order to constitute abandonment of office, it must be total and under such circumstance as clearly to indicate an absolute relinquishment. There must be a complete abandonment of duties of such continuance that the law will infer a relinquishment. Abandonment of duties is a voluntary act; it springs from and is accompanied by deliberation and freedom of choice. There are, therefore, two essential elements of abandonment: first, an intention to abandon and, second, an overt or ‘external’ act by which the intention is carried into effect,” the Committee pointed out.

The Ethics Committee further added that it considers the designation of Rep. A. Teves, Jr. as a terrorist by duly-constituted authorities a grave matter. Such a designation on a sitting House member reportedly brings disrepute to the institution and its members. It also casts doubt on our commitment to the welfare of the nation and creates a negative impression, both domestically and internationally.

“When a Member of the House of Representatives is designated as a terrorist, it poses a significant threat to the integrity and dignity of the institution. It is a serious and unprecedented matter,” the panel explained.

“Pursuant to the Constitution, the provisions of the Rules of the House of Representatives and the Committee Rules of Procedure for the 19th Congress, the Committee finds that the acts of Rep. A. Teves Jr constitute disorderly behavior and violate Section 141 (a) and (b), Rule XX of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives, and such acts are so grave as to merit the most severe form of disciplinary action allowed by the Constitution in order to protect the institutional integrity of the House of Representatives,” the Committee stressed.