Jamaine Punzalan

Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., along with his legal counsel Atty. Ferdie Topacio and his mother Zenaida Teves, attends a press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Headquarters in Pasay City on May 20, 2025.  Teves fled the Philippines in 2023 following the assassination of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, where he is accused of being the mastermind. He also faces multiple murder complaints linked to other killings in Negros Oriental. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174902324571120250530-teves-arnie-nbi-MT-19 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., along with his legal counsel Atty. Ferdie Topacio and his mother Zenaida Teves, attends a press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Headquarters in Pasay City on May 20, 2025.  Teves fled the Philippines in 2023 following the assassination of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, where he is accused of being the mastermind. He also faces multiple murder complaints linked to other killings in Negros Oriental. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. will remain in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for now, despite a Manila court&#x27;s order for his jail transfer, NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed on Wednesday.</p><p>According to Santiago, the court has issued a commitment order for Teves&#x27; transfer to Manila City Jail male dormitory. </p><p>However, since Teves is facing multiple cases in different courts, the NBI has opted to keep him temporarily at its detention facility inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/30/teves-hopes-for-speedy-trial-after-deportation-to-the-philippines-2144">READ: Teves hopes for speedy trial after deportation to the Philippines</a></div><p>&quot;Baka mamaya &#x27;yung isang court na &#x27;yun na natanggap namin, sa BJMP Manila. &#x27;Yung isa naman sa Bicutan. So sabi ko sa aking warden, i-hold niyo muna &#x27;yan,&quot; Santiago exlained.</p><p>Teves&#x27; lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, has filed a motion seeking to consolidate all pending cases to determine the appropriate venue for his detention.</p><p>&quot;Napag-alaman nga namin &#x27;yung attorney ni Congressman Teves ay nag file na ng motion sa City of Manila na ma-consolidate at once and for all, para malaman namin kung saan talaga itu-turnover si Congressman Teves,&quot; Santiago said. </p><p>&quot;Susunod naman kami sa kagustuhan ng hukuman.&quot;</p><p>In the meantime, Santiago assured the public that Teves&#x27; rights as a detainee will be respected.</p><p>The NBI also clarified why Teves is not being held alone and is detained with two other individuals. </p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung facilities namin ay hindi sufficient para isa lamang siya. &#x27;Yung dalawang kasama niya ay siniguro namin na &#x27;yun ay hindi makakapanakit sa kanya. Monitored siya 24/7 para sigurado &#x27;yung kanyang kaligtasan sa loob.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/31/no-special-treatment-in-bilibid-for-teves-lawyer-says-1219">READ: No special treatment in Bilibid for Teves, lawyer says</a></div><p>Santiago also said that two of Teves&#x27; co-accused are detained separately at the NBI detention facility.</p><p>Meanwhile, Teves is scheduled to appear for arraignment and pre-trial proceedings on Thursday at Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 for charges of illegal possession of explosives.</p><p>His legal team has requested that the hearing be conducted via Zoom, which the judiciary allows under certain conditions. </p><p>The NBI said it is prepared to provide security should the court require Teves&#x27; personal appearance.</p><p>Teves is the suspect in the March 2023 attack that killed then-Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others. </p><p>Teves was detained in Timor-Leste last year but a court blocked his extradition. In an abrupt turnaround, Timor-Leste deported Teves last week, saying his continued presence there presented a security risk.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrmhNl7yQew" title="Teves: &#x27;Malungkot ako dahil makukulong ako&#x27; | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. will stay at the NBI detention facility inside the New Bilibid Prison for now, despite a court order for his transfer, the National Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday.</p>

Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. will stay at the NBI detention facility inside the New Bilibid Prison for now, despite a court order for his transfer, the National Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday.

Teves to stay in Bilibid for now despite court order for transfer to Manila jail: NBI

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Teves to stay in Bilibid for now despite court order for transfer to Manila jail: NBI

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2025 03:50 PM PHT

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Updated June 04, 2025 05:05 PM PHT

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