File photo of expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER file photo / Grig C. Montegrande
MANILA, Philippines – Newly appointed Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon on Wednesday said the next hearing on the case of expelled Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will be on Nov. 20.
Fadullon made the pronouncement after taking his oath as the new prosecutor general of the National Prosecution Office at the Department of Justice in Manila.
“As far as the Teves case is concerned, the prosecution is ongoing here; we will have the next hearing on Nov. 20, and there are witnesses set to be invited,” Fadullon told reporters in a mix of Filipino and English during a chance interview.
No other details were shared by Fadullon regarding the hearing, however, amid a gag order issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court.
“As much as possible these cases should be tried, not before the public, not for public opinion but for purposes of hearing out the evidence,” said Fadullon.
Meanwhile, when asked about Teves’ return from Timor Leste, Fadullon responded that Philippine authorities are continuing to coordinate with the country as they await the completion of the legal processes necessary for Teves’ deportation.
READ: Manila court issues gag order in Degamo murder case
Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder for the March 4, 2023 attack that killed Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
On top of these, Teves is also facing murder charges for the deaths of three persons in Negros Oriental in 2019.
He was also designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, with his assets in the Philippines already having been ordered frozen.