THE Manila regional trial court yesterday granted a motion filed by the camp of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. for a resetting of the arraignment for one of his murder cases.
In a message to reporters, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Manila RTC Branch 12 Presiding Judge Renato Enciso has granted his client’s motion to defer his arraignment and pre-trial originally set yesterday June 30.
Topacio said Teves’ arraignment is now set on July 14.
The court also notified “complaining witness” Luciana Pialago Bato of Barangay Bonawon, Siaton, Negros Oriental to attend the hearing.
In his plea for postponement of the arraignment and pre-trial, Teves’ cited his current health condition as the main reason.
Teves underwent appendectomy at the Philippine General Hospital last week after complaining of severe stomach pain in his detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Topacio said while his client might be discharged from the hospital Monday or Tuesday, he might “not be fit enough to attend the hearing personally.”
Teves is also facing multiple murder charges before Branch 51 of the Manila RTC in connection with his alleged role in the March 2023 attack that killed then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
The court entered a not guilty plea early this month when Teves declined to enter a plea during his arraignment on the Degamo case early this month.
Teves also declined to enter a plea during his arraignment before another Manila court, on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives filed by the authorities, also prompting the court to enter a not guilty plea.
Teves is also facing a case for violation of the terrorism financing and prevention act before a Quezon City court.
