During a plenary session, the House adopted the recommendation of its Ethics and Privileges Committee with 285 “yes” votes and one abstention.
“His (Teves) actions constitute violation of code of conduct and disorderly behavior warranting disciplinary action. [As a result], the House committee on ethics and privileges recommends to the House of Representatives the imposition of the following penalties: 60-day suspension due to disorderly behavior, revocation of all his rights and privileges as member of the House in said period, and forfeiture of all committee membership,” ethics committee chair Coop-Natcco party-list Representative Felimon Espares said.
“He remains abroad, fails to perform his duties and responsibilities as members of the House and commits acts detrimental to the House and its members,” he added.
The House Ethics and Privileges committee unanimously agreed on Monday, May 29, to impose stiffer disciplinary actions against Teves.
In March, the panel imposed a 60-day suspension against Teves but it expired on May 23.
The panel’s vice chairman, Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon, said they can no longer impose another suspension against Teves as the law only allows 60 days at the maximum.
Teves was tagged as the “executive producer” of Degamo’s killing on March 4, 2023 that also resulted in the death of nine innocent civilians.
Murder charges were filed against him based on the testimonies of the suspects who executed the plan.
A total of 11 suspects, including the alleged “director” of the kill plot identified as Marvin Halaman Miranda, Teves former body guard, were arrested.
They were also facing murder, frustrated and attempted murder charges.
As of Wednesday, March 31, nine of the suspects — Rogelio Antipolo, Osmundo Rivero, Rommel Pattaguan, Dahniel Lora, Winrich Isturis, Eulogia Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador, and Benjie Rodriguez — recanted their statements, particularly their involvement on the murder case, as well as of Teves.
They claimed to have been either tortured, coerced or threatened by the authorities to execute their earlier affidavits where they identified Teves as the brains behind the killing.
In a press conference, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Miranda is “directing” the recantation of the suspects, noting that “lot of money is going around from the side of Mr. Teves.”
“Now you can see that Miranda, true to form, as we said, was the director of everything, the director of the massacre, was again directing the activities around how they were going to make everybody recant,” he said.
“So andoon na naman ang papel ni Miranda through his billing as a co-principal, co-mastermind together with Congressman Teves,” he added.
Remulla said charges of perjury may be filed against these suspects for lying under oath.
He also expressed confidence that they have a solid case against Teves and the arrested suspects despite them taking back their statements.
“Hindi lang naman testimonial. Marami tayong evidence na iba. May independent physical evidence tayo. May circumstantial evidence, marami tayong ebidensya,” Remulla said.
(It’s not just a testimonial. We have a lot of evidence otherwise. We have independent physical evidence. There is circumstantial evidence; we have a lot of evidence.) (SunStar Philippines)