Arnolfo Teves Jr.

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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[7]

Teves also pushed Paolo Duterte to stage a coup d'état against Cayetano.[9]

Teves is one of the 70 representatives who voted to deny the ABS-CBN franchise on July 10, 2020.[10] He also criticized ABS-CBN's joint venture between Prime Media, a media company owned by House Speaker Martin Romualdez in 2023.[11]

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.[12][13] 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."[14]

On March 4, 2023, one month after the Supreme Court proclaimed Roel Degamo as governor of Negros Oriental in a contested election[15] versus former governor, Arnolfo Teves' brother, Pryde Henry Teves,[16] Degamo was assassinated in his home. Teves has denied any involvement in his death,[17] criticizing those who had tried to accuse him and citing that the Teves's have nothing to gain.[18] He has been on medical leave in the United States since February 28,[19] and in March 15, has requested for a two-month leave, citing a "very grave threat" to his life and his family.[20]

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.[21] The travel authority issued to Teves was valid only between February 28 and March 9.[20] Suspension lasts 60 days and is the second highest penalty in the House, only next to expulsion;[21] it was extended for another 60 days on May 31.[22]

Teves remained abroad. On May 9, Teves had an application to seek political asylum in Timor Leste which was rejected.[23] The following day, the Department of Justice (DOJ) was informed that a blue notice was issued against Teves by Interpol.[24] 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.[25] This was the first time the council designated an elected official as a terrorist.[26] 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".[27]

On August 26, the Department of Justice announced that murder charges were filed before a regional trial court in Manila against Teves over Degamo's assassination.[28] On September 5, the court released an arrest warrant for Teves over the murder.[29] As of September 13, the DOJ believes that Teves is in hiding somewhere in Southeast Asia under the protection of local warlords.[30] Later that month, Teves was confirmed to be staying in Timor Leste by former Senator Manny Pacquiao which visited the country for an official visit.[31]

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.[2] In response, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio called the body a "kangaroo court".[32]