THE Department of Justice yesterday said the Manila regional trial court has yet to schedule the arraignment of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in connection with murder cases stemming from the 2023 attack that killed Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
With this, Teves will remain under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano told reporters.
Teves is being held at a detention cell in Building 14 inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, which the Bureau of Corrections has temporarily made available to the NBI while the agency is constructing its main office and detention facility.
Clavano said the NBI returned the arrest warrant to the Manila RTC last Friday, a day after the former lawmaker arrived in Manila after being deported from Timor-Leste.
Meanwhile, the DOJ is considering seeking the transfer of the other criminal cases filed against Teves before the Manila RTC.
Aside from the killing of Degamo and nine others, Teves is facing murder cases before Manila RTC Branch 12 and Branch 15, and Bayawan, Negros Oriental RTC Branch 63.
Teves is also facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12, violation of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before Quezon City RTC Branch 77, and another case of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 Quezon City RTC Branch 77.
Clavano said it is the prosecution’s call to seek the transfer and consolidation of the cases filed against Teves before the Manila court.
“Of course, the security of Mr. Teves is our concern. That’s why, we will have to manifest to the court one of two things — either, consolidate the cases or allow him to participate through video conferencing,” Clavano said.
“As per consultation with the Prosecutor General, he said he will still analyze and study if there is a need to manifest and move for the consolidation,” he added.
Clavano said Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon will also get inputs from the prosecutors handling the case against Teves in Dumaguete before making any decision.
Earlier, Teves said he would want the court to fast track the hearing of all his cases, a point echoed by Degamo’s widow, Pamplona mayor and incoming Negros Oriental Rep. Janice Degamo.
