Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. is seeking a swift and impartial trial following his unexpected deportation from Timor-Leste and subsequent return to the Philippines.Teves, who faces multiple murder charges including alleged involvement in the 2023 assassination of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, arrived in the country under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).The NBI confirmed the charges against Teves, noting that his return marks a key development in one of the most closely watched political crime cases in recent years.In a press conference held at the NBI, Teves admitted to being surprised and saddened by the Timor-Leste government’s decision to deport him.“I just won with finality my case in exhibition, but they used another thing about expulsion, which technically I still had a few days to reply, but hindi ko alam ano nangyari,” said Teves.“Sige na lang, tapos na ‘yun. But sa totoo lang, of course, malungkot ako dahil, siyempre, makukulong ako.”Teves has consistently maintained his innocence and claimed he stayed in Timor-Leste out of fear for his safety.&quot;My conscience is clear. So, ang sa akin lang, sana lang mabilis yung proseso para matapos na. I always hope for a fair game,” he said.His legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, acknowledged that a petition for habeas corpus he previously claimed to be granted is now irrelevant due to Teves’ deportation.“The issue is moot and it will be a matter to executive and judicial branches of the government of Timor-Leste to sort out that problem. Nandito na po si Cong Teves and we will now consider that as water under the bridge and we will now focus on his defense,” he said.Topacio also said they are reassured by the conditions of Teves&#x27; custody at the NBI, noting that their client&#x27;s safety is currently not a concern.NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed the next legal steps. “We will immediately return the warrant to the respective court accompanied by our certificate of detention. Now, the court will then set the arraignment. Kasi yung pag-arraignment, yan ang makaka-acquire ng jurisdictional court. So, mag-i-start na ang ball rolling.The court is also expected to issue a commitment order for Teves’ formal detention, while additional warrants related to cases filed in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, are expected to be returned next week.

Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. is seeking a swift and impartial trial following his unexpected deportation from Timor-Leste and subsequent return to the Philippines.

Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. is seeking a swift and impartial trial following his unexpected deportation from Timor-Leste and subsequent return to the Philippines.

Teves hopes for speedy trial after deportation to the Philippines

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Teves hopes for speedy trial after deportation to the Philippines

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 30, 2025 09:44 PM PHT

Read More:

NBI

Arnolfo Teves

extraction

deportation

Timor-Leste

Philippines

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