Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 18) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said its next move will depend on the order of Congress on whether special elections should be held to replace Arnolfo Teves as representative of the third district of Negros Oriental following his expulsion.
“Magdeclare ang Congress na vacant then idirect kami na mag hold ng special election,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.
[Translation: Congress should declare it vacant and direct us to hold special election.]
On Aug. 16, 265 members of the House voted to evict Teves from his position for his “disorderly behavior and for violation of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives.” This is amid multiple criminal cases he is facing and his refusal to return to the Philippines.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been the caretaker of the third district of Negros Oriental since Teves left the country early this year.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who voted against the expulsion of Teves, said it may be difficult to hold a separate poll for the vacant position because Congress did not allocate a budget for it.
Asked about the budget, Garcia said the poll body is willing to look for funds in case the special election will push through.
It is also under the discretion of the House of Representatives if it will appoint a caretaker for now, he noted.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Thursday the lower chamber’s leadership is currently looking at lawmakers from the first and second districts of Negros Oriental, namely–Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong and Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria–as the legislative caretaker of the third district.
