Timor-Leste has denied the request of suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Neg. Or., 3rd District) for political asylum, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Tuesday night, May 9.
Timor-Leste has given Teves five days to leave their country.
“Today, the Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste confirmed that Representative Teves’ application for political asylum has been denied,” it said.
“In accordance with the decision of the Timor-Leste Government, Representative Teves has been granted a period of five days to depart Timor-Leste. During this time, he also has the option to file an appeal regarding the decision,” it added.
The DFA confirmed that Teves is currently in Dili, Timor-Leste, where he submitted his application for political asylum.
The solon, who is implicated in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, has yet to return to the Philippines despite the expiration of his personal travel authority on March 9.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said the government has taken “concrete steps” to designate Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terrorism Act of of 2020.
Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said the House Ethics and Privileges Committee may be forced to reconvene and consider another possible disciplinary action against Teves for his continued absence in Congress.
Romualdez raised this possibility should Teves continue to defy the House’s return to work order after the lapse of the 60-day period of his suspension on June 7.
“This is our recourse in order to preserve the dignity, integrity and reputation of the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said in a statement.
Romualdez discouraged any attempt by Teves to seek refuge in another country and abandon his sworn duty to serve as a member of the House of Representatives.
“We, in the House of Representatives, view with great concern reports from the DOJ (Department of Justice) and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) that Rep. Arnie Teves has applied for political asylum in Timor Leste,” he said.
“Rather than evade investigation by Philippine law enforcement agencies, Cong. Arnie should return home immediately and face the accusation against him,” he added.
Romualdez assured Teves that the chamber will secure his personal safety upon his return to the Philippines.*PNA