Degamo kin to file ethics complaint against Teves

THE family of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo has expressed willingness to file another ethics complaint of their own against the province’s Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. for the purpose of expelling the lawmaker from the House of Representatives.

Lawyer Levito Baligod, legal counsel of the Degamos, said the family will file the case before the House by “early next week” over Rep. Teves’ alleged violation of Section 14 of Article 6 in the 1987 Constitution. The provision states the perpetual prohibition for members of Congress to have financial interest over any contract with, franchise or special privilege granted by the government or any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities, agencies or even government-owned and -controlled corporations.

“The ultimate issue there is his direct or indirect financial interest in a special privilege or franchise granted by the House of Representatives,” Baligod said in an interview on Thursday.

“Rep. Teves himself and also his lawyer admitted that [the lawmaker] operated e-sabong before and also operated the Small Town Lottery in his province and those are prohibited transactions under the Constitution and that is our principal reason to seek his expulsion from the House of Representatives,” he added.

Likewise, Baligod said the camp of Degamo also intends to file more criminal charges against Rep. Teves for his alleged involvement in the previous killings in Negros Oriental.

The embattled lawmaker has been suspended for 60-days by the House for disorderly conduct.

— Franco Jose C. Baroña

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