Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Arnolfo Teves Sr., the father of expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., died on Tuesday, December 24.
The elder Teves was 77 years old.
His son, Henry Teves, made the announcement without disclosing the cause of death.
“After 2 years of waiting, my FATHER got his wish. He is finally COMING HOME to DUMAGUETE. REST in PEACE POPS. We LOVE you DEARLY and will surely MISS YOU,” Henry Teves said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, on Thursday said his client was unable to attend the wake of his father.
“Lubhang nakaragdag sa kalungkutan ni Rep. Teves at ng kanyang buong sambahayan, ang kanyang ina, mga kapatid at lahat ng kanyang mga kaanak na ang kanyang ama ay yumao ng bisperas ng Pasko, na dapat sana’y isang araw ng pagdiriwang at kasiyahan,” Topacio said in a statement.
(It greatly adds to Rep. Teves’ sadness, as well as his entire household, his mother, siblings and relatives, that their father died on Christmas Eve, which was supposed to be a day of celebration and happiness.)
“Ngunit ang pinakamasakit na dagok para kay Rep. Teves ay ang pangyayaring siya ay nasa ibayong dagat at hindi makauwi upang mayakap lamang sana at magbigay ng huling pagpupugay at pamamaalam sa kanyang amang sumakabilang-buhay na, sa kadahilanan ng walang basehan at walang humpay na pag-uusig at panggigipit ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan, dahil lamang sa pulitika at makasariling interes,” he added.
(But what’s hardest for Rep. Teves is that he is overseas and cannot go home to hug, give his last respects to and express love for his now departed father, due to baseless and relentless persecution and pressure of this current government, only because of politics and out of selfish interest.)
Former Rep. Teves is still in East Timor.
The Department of Justice said he may soon be back in the country to face murder charges.
He has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in Pamplona town in Negros Oriental on March 4, 2023.