Teves camp asks DOJ to inhibit from Degamo slay case

The camp of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. on Thursday asked Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors to inhibit from the preliminary probe against the lawmaker over the alleged killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

In a 14-page motion to inhibit, the lawmaker’s camp argued that the DOJ is not an impartial tribunal and that Teves’ right to due process was violated due to the remarks of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla against him.

“Unfortunately, in this case, no prosecutor under the Department of Justice can confidently and honestly say that they can resolve this preliminary investigation with fairness, impartiality, independence, and integrity as demanded by law and jurisprudence,” it read.

“This is primarily because their boss, the Secretary of Justice… has been firm in claiming that Teves Jr. is the mastermind in the death of Gov. Degamo, even prior to the filing of this case,” it added.

According to Teves’ camp, he was also deprived of fairness after Remulla supposedly “displayed sympathy and affection” for the late governor’s widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo.

Due to this, Teves' camp said the preliminary probe should be headed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Accordingly, it is for the interest of substantial justice that this case be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure that Teves Jr. shall have an impartial tribunal to determine the existence of probable cause and assure that his constitutional right to due process is properly observed,” it read.

When sought for comment, Remulla said, “We are not judges.”

On March 4, Degamo and nine others were killed while several others were injured after an attack on the late governor’s home in Negros Oriental.

Remulla has said that Teves appears to be the main mastermind in the killing, likening him to an “executive producer” in the ploy, a claim the lawmaker has repeatedly denied.

In May, the National Bureau of Investigation filed multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple attempted murder complaints against Teves.

However, later that month, five suspects recanted their testimonies claiming to have knowledge about the killing. Among those who recanted is the suspect who claimed that a "Cong. Teves" ordered the assassination of Degamo. 

Teves denied having a hand in the recantation of the suspects. He also said that it's not enough reason for him to come home.  The lawmaker previously applied for a political asylum in Timor-Leste but was denied.—VAL, GMA Integrated News