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Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Arnolfo "Arnie" Alipit Teves Jr. (born August 10, 1971) is a Filipino politician and businessman. A member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, he last served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives representing the 3rd District of Negros Oriental from 2016 to his expulsion in 2023. He also served as a deputy speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives from 2020 to 2022.

Political career

Teves entered politics when he was elected barangay captain of Barangay Malabugas in Bayawan, Negros Oriental, in 2010. He was also elected unopposed as president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Negros Oriental later that year, making him an ex officio member of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board.

In 2016, Teves was elected member of the House of Representatives representing the Negros Oriental's 3rd congressional district, effectively resigning from his posts as barangay captain and ABC President upon assuming office. He was re-elected in 2019 and in 2022.

Teves has expressed support for Duterte's war on drugs, proposing an inexpensive rehabilitation program for drug dependents, and stating that he himself "was a very long time a drug addict" but has been "clean for the last 16 plus years" as of 2016.

Congressional career and controversy

In 2018, Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative L-ray Villafuerte asked Teves to explain his alleged link to illegal e-gambling platforms. That same year, Teves also figured in an argument with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam after she accused him of controlling gambling operations in his province.

On September 17, 2020, Teves challenged L-ray Villafuerte to a fistfight and dropped homophobic slurs to refer to Villafuerte after the former questioned the budget allocation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to various congressional districts in the country, particularly the funds allocated to the localities of Villafuerte and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. He also verbally feuded with Villafuerte during a coup in the House of Representatives in October, during which Cayetano was removed as speaker by a majority of legislators and replaced with Lord Allan Velasco, whom Teves was a close ally.

Teves also pushed Paolo Duterte to stage a coup d'état against Cayetano.

Teves is one of the 70 representatives who voted to deny the ABS-CBN franchise on July 10, 2020. He also criticized ABS-CBN's joint venture with Prime Media, a media company owned by House Speaker Martin Romualdez in 2023.

In the 19th Congress, Teves filed a bill seeking to rename Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport in honor of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino was assassinated in 1983 at the airport during the Marcos dictatorship. Teves also filed a bill seeking to declare ghosting as an emotional offense without suggesting any penalties, instead stating that it "should be punished."

Assassination of Roel Degamo

On March 4, 2023, one month after the Supreme Court proclaimed Roel Degamo as governor of Negros Oriental in a contested election versus Arnolfo Teves' brother, former governor Pryde Henry Teves, Degamo was assassinated in his home in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Teves has denied any involvement in his death, criticizing those who had tried to accuse him and citing that the Teves's have nothing to gain. He has been on medical leave in the United States since February 28, and in March 15, has requested for a two-month leave, citing a "very grave threat" to his life and his family.

On March 22, 2023, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to suspend Teves for failing to return to the country despite having an expired travel clearance. The travel authority issued to Teves was valid only between February 28 and March 9. Suspension lasted 60 days and is the second highest penalty in the House, only next to expulsion; it was extended for another 60 days on May 31.

Teves remained abroad. On May 9, Teves had an application to seek political asylum in Timor Leste which was rejected. The following day, the Department of Justice (DOJ) was informed that a blue notice was issued against Teves by Interpol. On July 26, 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated him, his brother Pryde Henry and 11 others as terrorists due to their links to "alleged killings and harassments," including Degamo's murder, in Negros Oriental. This was the first time the council designated an elected official as a terrorist. In response, Teves criticized President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, several members of his Cabinet, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and others in an online press conference for using his case to distract from other issues in the country, while his lawyer called his terrorist designation an "overreaction".

On August 26, the DOJ announced that murder charges were filed before a regional trial court in Manila against Teves over Degamo's assassination. On September 5, the court released an arrest warrant for Teves over the murder. As of September 13, the DOJ believes that Teves is in hiding somewhere in Southeast Asia under the protection of local warlords. Later that month, Teves was confirmed to be staying in Timor Leste by Manny Pacquiao, who visited the country for an official visit. His passport was ordered cancelled by such court on February 9, 2024. Remulla confirmed on February 29 that Interpol issued a red notice for Teves, which officially designated him as a “Fugitive Wanted for Prosecution”. On March 21, Teves was arrested by Timorese police at a golf course in Dili.

On June 10, 2024, Teves's lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said that his client had been freed from detention at Becora Prison, Dili, adding that he will attend further hearings. Former CHR Commissioner Wilhelm “Beebong” D. Soriano will be offered as expert witness. The DOJ however said that his release was procedural and that he was rearrested by East Timorese police, adding that his extradition trial will continue. On June 13, Teves was placed under house arrest by the East Timor Supreme Court of Justice, citing his being a "flight risk". On June 22, it was announced that Teves was ordered released from house arrest. On June 27, the DOJ said that Timor Leste had approved Teves's extradition to the Philippines.

Expulsion

On August 16, 2023, Teves was unanimously expelled by the House of Representatives due to his abandonment of duty, prolonged absence, and "indecent behavior on social media." With this, he became the first expelled representative since the restoration of the Congress in 1987. In response, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio called the body a "kangaroo court".

Following his expulsion, the Commission on Elections announced that a special election would be held to choose his successor on December 9, 2023. However, on November 8, the body cancelled the elections following a resolution from the House of Representatives which cited concerns about the situation in the district and an appeal by Teves against his expulsion in the Supreme Court.

Personal life

From a clan of politicians and businessmen, Teves is the brother of politician Pryde Henry Teves. They are nephews of former Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, grandsons of former Negros Oriental governor Herminio "Meniong" Teves, and grandnephews of former governor Lorenzo Teves. Their aunt, Virginia "Bebot" Teves-Laurel, is the mother of designer Rajo Laurel. Their grandaunt, Paulita Teves, is the mother of singer Boboy Garrovillo.

In early 2023, Teves hosted the radio program Teves Cares Live: Aksyon, Tulong, Solusyon on DZRH and DZRH News Television.

In March 2022, Teves' then 24-year-old son and ex officio provincial board member Kurt Matthew Teves was caught on video and went viral after he beat up and challenged a village security guard in BF Homes, Parañaque, to a shootout.