Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was linked to the assassination of his political rival, Gov. Roel Degamo, was advised Friday by House Speaker Martin Romualdez to return to the country, as soon as possible.
Teves was reported to be in the United States for a stem cell treatment.
This as Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for Teves, told all concerned parties “to observe sobriety in their pronouncements” regarding the allegations against his client.
In a statement, Romualdez said that Teves’ authority to travel had lapsed since it only covered the period from Feb. 28 to March 9.
He stressed that the travel of Teves outside the country beyond the period is no longer authorized by the House of Representatives.
“We want to hear his side of the story,” Romualdez said, stressing that the arrested suspects already confessed their involvement in the violent attack.
The remains of Degamo lie in state at the Provincial Capitol of Negros Oriental in Dumaguete City, for public viewing, until March 12./GB
