Teves to remain at NBI detention facility until arraignment schedule
Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Photo from NBI)
MANILA, Philippines – Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. will remain at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention facility at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) until a court order for his arraignment is issued.
“We have not yet received an order from the court scheduling the arraignment. The first step is to submit the return so the court knows Mr. Teves is in our custody. But until there’s an order from the court, he will be detained at the NBI,” DOJ Spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV told reporters Tuesday.
Clavano also said that the Prosecutor General, in consultation with the handling prosecutors, is still studying the potential consolidation and transfer of the multiple cases filed against Teves from the province to Manila.
“He will also get the side of the prosecutors handling the case, because they are the ones with the records,” Clavano said.
“So the considerations are if the pieces of evidence or the witnesses are the same, it would be better to consolidate into one case. So, we will have to see if the requisites match with the requisities for consolidation of cases and then we will file the necessary motions in court,” he added.
Aside from the March 4, 2023 shooting in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where Govrnor Roel Degamo and nine others were killed, Teves is facing several charges murder before Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12, Branch 15 and Bayawan RTC Branch 63.
Teves is also facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12 and violation of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before Quezon City RTC Branch 77.
