DOJ: Arnie Teves' return to PH a 'matter of time'

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it is expecting the eventual return of former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Philippines after Timor-Leste granted anew his extradition.

In an ambush interview, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez explained that Teves’ camp may still appeal the decision granting his extradition, but the DOJ is hopeful that the Timor-Leste court will rule again in their favor and finally bring back the former congressman to the country to face his murder charges.

“It all depends. If they don't appeal, then it's anytime. If they appeal, then probably we have to give them a little more period, 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's being kind, that the same result would come out sooner than later.”

Appeal likely

But Teves' legal counsel in the Philippines, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said the former lawmaker will likely again ask Timor-Leste to reconsider its decision to grant the extradition request of the Philippines.

Topacio, however, said this was up to the former lawmaker’s lawyers in Timor-Leste.

“I’m almost certain that we will file an appeal and the appellate process will be underway pretty soon. So that is the extent of what I can say,” he said at a briefing.

According to Topacio, Teves is “in good spirits” and is confident that his case will attain victory.

He said Teves is also no longer under house arrest but cannot leave Timor-Leste as his passport has been canceled.

“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.

Despite this, Topacio said his camp is preparing for his possible return. “Well, as they say, hope for the best but expect the worst.”

Teves is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines for the alleged murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others in March 2023.

He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

In August last year, Teves was expelled by the House of Representatives for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.

He was later on arrested in Timor-Leste in March this year based on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February.

According to Vasquez, the expelled lawmaker should just present his evidence before Philippine courts.

“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.

Last Thursday, the DOJ announced that Timor-Leste granted again the request of the Philippine government to extradite Teves back to the country. 

Timor-Leste previously granted the country's extradition request for Teves in June.

However, Teves' camp contested the ruling on procedural grounds, specifically on the number of judges involved in the decision. This prompted the Timor-Leste court to order the parties to again present evidence in the case. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News