LABUAN BAJO – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos thanked Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak of Timor-Leste for his government’s “quick action” to deny the application of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. seeking political asylum in their country.
The President brought up the matter during his bilateral meeting with Ruak at the sidelines of the 42nd Asean Summit here on Thursday.
The denial of Teves’ application for an asylum, according to the President, would make it “easier” for authorities to bring the embattled lawmaker back to the Philippines “to answer the allegations against him.”
“In denying his request for political asylum then we are going closer in the case to bring him back home to face the allegations that have been made [against Teves],” Marcos told Ruak, as quoted in a briefer provided by Malacañang on their bilateral meeting.
Added the President: “But again, we thank you for your very quick response in that regard.”
“Thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister for your very quick action on this issue,” he also said, as quoted.
In an interview with the Philippine media onboard his flight back to Manila, Marcos gave little details on his discussion with the Prime Minister of Timor Leste about Teves.
He said that the government of Timor Leste has its own process, which includes an appeal when the request was denied.
“[The request for a political asylum] was already denied, so we’ll just wait for the process to [be] complete[d],” the President noted.
Asked if he has any message for Teves, Marcos said: “Come home. That’s the best advice I can give him. Come home.”