BY RAYMOND AFRICA
THE Department of Justice yesterday said it is just a “matter of time” before former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves will eventually be turned over to the Philippine government.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said the camp of Teves may still appeal the recent decision of the Timor-Leste court for his extradition, but expressed confidence the court will again rule in favor of the Philippine government.
“It all depends. If they don’t appeal, then it’s time anytime. If they appeal, then probably we have to give them a little more period of time, I mean, the Timor-Leste authorities, to decide the matter. But it’s just a matter of time,” Vasquez said.
“But you know, when you’ve been decided twice over and it’s in the negative, well, we are very, very hopeful. And that is being kind, that the same result would come out sooner or later,” he added.
The DOJ last week said Timor-Leste rejected anew Teves’ bid for political asylum as it ruled in favor of the Philippines’ extradition request.
Vasquez said Teves should just present his evidence before the local court.
“We exhort former congressman Arnie Teves to just follow the processes and let the rule of law preside the proceedings and for him to present his evidence, you know, before the proper courts in the Philippines,” he said.
Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the former congressman will probably ask the Timor-Leste court to reverse its decision granting the extradition request of the Philippine government. He said it will be up to the lawyers in Timor-Leste to find ways for the extradition to be reversed.
Topacio also said Teves is “in good spirits” and confident that his extradition will be reconsidered.
He said Teves is no longer under house arrest but cannot leave Timor-Leste since his passport has been cancelled.
“But they cannot deport him because he entered the country legally and he has committed no crimes under Timor-Leste law. So, he is a free man in Timor-Leste,” he said.
Teves is charged with multiple murder for the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others in March 2023. In August last year, Teves was expelled by the House of Representatives leadership for disorderly conduct and continued absence since his travel authority has expired.
Last March, Teves was arrested in Timor-Leste after the International Criminal Police Organization issued a red notice last February.
