Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. (PNA file photo)
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday evening that expelled Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. is expected to be returned to the Philippines as Timor-Leste authorities granted the country's extradition request for the expelled lawmaker.
The announcement was made to reporters by DOJ spokesman, Undersecretary Mico Clavano.
This elicited a quick reaction of Teves’ lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio who said, “The judgment is still appealable, a recourse that we intend to take.”
“Then we still have the option of political asylum,” he added, without providing other details as to when they intend to file legal remedies.
Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in connection with the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental that killed Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed gratitude to Timor-Leste for its judicious decision.
“Teves will now have his day in court, face his long-delayed trial and prove his innocence if indeed he is innocent,” Remulla said in a statement.
“Teves' hide and seek tactics have come to an end, he can no longer evade the legal consequences of his actions and should answer the charges fair and square," he added.
Topacio, for his part, cautioned Clavano that they have not won yet.
“Even if you bring Mr. Teves back, you will still have to prove him guilty in the face of recantations by all witnesses previoously against him who were tortured and intimidated into testifying falsely against him. You still have to defend your planted evidence, in light of the recent rulings of the courts revealing their bogus nature and the admission to bail of Mr. Teves’ co-accused on the ground of weak evidence,” Topacio said.
The lawyer advised Clavano: “I wouldn’t gloat if I were you. Your department couldn”t even win an open-and-shut case against De Lima because you deliberately dropped the ball. All you can do is convict rape victims. Convict Mr. Teves with finality first. Then and only then can you say you have won. I don’t think you’ll be in DOJ long enough to do that.” (with a report from PNA)