Negrenses express grievances against the Teves brothers during a Senate hearing. The Teves’ alleged connections to gambling and political power were discussed.

During a Senate hearing, Negros Oriental officials and residents shared their grievances about the Teves brothers, a powerful political family in the province. Siaton Mayor Fritz Diaz presented a video of policemen entertaining Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., a sign of the alleged perks that the Teves family receives. Diaz claimed that the family’s money comes from online cockfighting and small-town lottery, including e-sabong, which operates in Negros Oriental despite being ordered to halt under the previous administration. Dagami Mayor Janice Degamo said that they fear the Teveses because of their money, fueled by e-sabong, STL, and possible drug connections. Other stories shared during the hearing included arrested murder suspects alleged to have Teves connections, individuals being harassed or killed for not siding with the Teves family or criticizing them, and a businessman who claimed that Rep. Teves wanted to grab his tocino business. Meanwhile, the Teves brothers denied involvement in gambling. The Senate committee also cited in contempt Police Staff Sergeant Renevic Rizaldo, one of the sacked policemen who reportedly refused to write a blotter about the harassment complaint of a local candidate in Negros Oriental. The panel will continue its investigation on the spate of local executives’ killings on Wednesday.