THE Department of Justice yesterday said the return to the country of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves is now in the hands of the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste, adding it might take a few more weeks before a ruling on the case will be issued.
Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said the Ministry of Justice has forwarded the Philippines’ request to deny the political asylum bid of Teves, who was tagged as the mastermind in the March 2023 attack that killed Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Teves is also facing murder charges in connection with several killings in the province in 2019, including of a former provincial board member.
“We are still waiting for the decision of the Court of Appeals in Timor-Leste because the Ministry of Justice has forwarded our request,” Clavano said in Filipino at the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” forum.
“Our timeline is within the next few weeks, we hope to receive already a decision from the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste. So, we just need to be patient and wait for the decision of the Court of Appeals since it is their country,” he added.
Clavano explained that Manila’s request for Teves’ extradition of Teves was initially evaluated by the Ministry of Justice, and finding the request has ground, the ministry, as per their process, passed it to the appellate court which will decide on the case.
“So, we will just have to abide and comply with the direction and the decision of the Court of Appeals,” he said.
DEADLINE
Clavano said the DOJ is confident that its request will be granted considering the evidence against Teves.
“If they see that our request is legitimate and all the supporting documents are attached, they will grant it. We are confident because all the requirements are attached. All the clarifications of the government of Timor-Leste are addressed by our legal division,” Clavano said in a subsequent online briefing with reporters, adding the deadline set for a decision by Timor-Leste’s appellate court is June 20.
“But it can be earlier than that. No later, but it can be earlier than June 20,” he added.
To recall, it has been two months since Teves was arrested in Dili, while playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar.
His apprehension came three weeks after the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) placed him on its red notice system and his passport was canceled by the Manila City regional trial court.
Teves has been declared a fugitive from justice following the issuance of arrest warrants by the local courts in connection with the criminal charges filed against him.
He left the country for the United States ostensibly for medical purposes days before gunmen assassinated Degamo in his residence. But instead of returning to the country after his US trip ended earlier this year, Teves opted to seek political asylum in Timor-Leste after he was implicated as mastermind in the Degamo’s killing.
Earlier, Teves’ lead counsel Ferdinand Topacio said under Timor-Leste’s laws, denial of an asylum bid may be subject to appeal, during which time the person requesting it is not deported.
In May 2023, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the application for political asylum of Teves was denied.
The DOJ later said that Teves is asking Timor-Leste to reconsider its denial.
