Attorney Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. (File photo by Faye Orellana/INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The legal counsel of suspended Negros Oriental 3rd district representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. has objected to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s claim that the preliminary investigations on the alleged killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo did not include a defense panel.
Attorney Ferdinand Topacio, who represents Teves, said the respondent’s counsels were present during the hearings at the level of the prosecutors.
Topacio made the statement late Tuesday night in response to Remulla’s warning for Teves’ lawyers to take the legal steps seriously.
The justice secretary had said the defense counsels failed to show up on Tuesday.
But Topacio countered Remulla was “waxing nonsense when he issued a so-called warning.”
He said he could show proof of the presence of Teves’ lawyers in the deliberations.
“Records will show that Mr. Teves’ counsels have consistently participated in ALL the preliminary investigations involving their client where subpoenas were properly served,” Topacio said.
“In fact, there have already been there three cases, so far, where Mr. Teves’ counsels have appeared and have fully taken part in. That, Mr. Remulla cannot deny,” Topacio added.
“We have participated in the face of cockamamie (ridiculous) threats from the Secretary not to recognize us as lawyers of Teves, in spite of a catena (chain) of Supreme Court rulings that go against his stand,” he went on.
Topacio wondered why Remulla questioned the attendance of Teves’ lawyers after initially doubting if the same lawyers were authorized to represent the lawmaker.
“Ano ba talaga, Kuya? (What’s the real deal?)” Topacio asked.
“Lahat nahihilo na sa iyo. (Everyone is getting dizzy with you.) Whatever it is you are taking, please stop it,” Topacio said.
Remulla had issued the warning to Teves’ legal team after the preliminary investigation was reset to June 27, due to the lawyers’ alleged non-appearance.
Aside from the counsels of Teves, private lawyers of the 10 suspects were also absent,” the justice secretary had been quoted as saying.
Teves is facing murder raps for allegedly masterminding the governor’s death.
He had said he and his brother, former governor Pryde Henry Teves, were not behind the attack.
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