The House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution requesting the Commission on Elections to hold a special election to fill the vacancy that expelled lawmaker Arnie Teves left in the chamber.
Filed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has served as the temporary legislative caretaker of the Negros Oriental, and two other House leaders, the lower chamber adopted House Resolution 1212, seeking to fill Teves’ seat.
The proponents stressed in the resolution that the vacancy “has left the constituency of the Third Legislative District of the Province of Negros Oriental without representation in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Philippines.”
Owing to his “disorderly behavior” and violation of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives, the House expelled Teves last Wednesday with 265-0-3 votes.
According to the House leaders, the prolonged vacancy of Teves’ seat invoked Section 9, Article VI of the Constitution, which provides that “In case of vacancy in the Senate or the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law.”
However, under the Constitution, the elected senator or House member “shall serve only for the unexpired term.
In accordance with Republic Act 6645, the Comelec, upon receipt of a resolution of the Senate of the House of Representatives, shall hold a special election to fill such vacancy.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia had previously said the poll body was geared up to conduct a special election if requested by the House.
“If we will be directed… we will comply with haste,” Garcia said.
The Comelec is set to receive a copy of the House-resolved resolution.