By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is coming home soon after Timor Leste granted the extradition request of the Philippine government.
“The Department of Justice confirms the grant of the extradition request made by the Philippine government. The information was relayed to us by the Attorney-General of Timor Leste. We have won,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said in a statement on Thursday (27 June 2024).
But Teves’ lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio rebuked Clavano, saying the judgment of the Court of Appeals of Timor Leste is still appealable.
“Not so fast, Mr. Clavano. You have not won. Not by a long shot,” Topacio quipped.
It was gathered that the DOJ request is for Teves to face a Manila court for the multiple murder cases involving the death of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
“We look forward to the arrival of Mr. Teves so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts,” Clavano added.
Topacio argued that even if extradited, Teves would have to be tried first by the Manila court handling his cases.
“And even if you bring Mr. Teves back, you will still have to prove him guilty in the face of recantations by all witnesses previously against him who were tortured and intimidated into testifying falsely against him,” Topacio claimed.
To recall, it was Teves who filed a bill seeking to declare ghosting as an emotional offense without suggesting any penalties, instead stating that it “should be punished.”
According to Wikipedia, on August 16, 2023, Teves was unanimously expelled by the House of Representatives due to his abandonment of duty, prolonged absence, and “indecent behavior on social media.”
With this, he became the first expelled representative since the restoration of the Congress in 1987.
(el Amigo/mnm)
