The Court of Appeals (CA) Special Former Sixth Division has ordered the removal of former Negros Oriental Governor Henry Pryde Teves from an Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) resolution that designated him as a terrorist.
In its decision, the CA found and held that the ATC and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) “acted with grave abuse of discretion in issuing the assailed resolutions in that petitioner’s (Teves) designation as a terrorist was without probable cause and was in gross application of Our law against terrorism.”
“The designation being improper, the corresponding freezing of his assets is likewise unjustified,” the court added.
The CA recalled that the ATC and AMLC presented witnesses who alleged that Teves violated Section 4(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act by supposedly orchestrating killings, attempted killings, threats, and harassment.
“However, not one of the witnesses had any personal knowledge that petitioner masterminded or ordered the commission of these crimes. All respondents’ witnesses had were mere suspicion; suspicion that was based on their notion that the victims were either petitioner’s political opponents, supporters of political opponents, or critics, as well as individuals who did not comply with petitioner’s demands for financial gain,” the decision read.
The court noted that Teves’ suspension may be justified for other alleged offenses, “but not for the purpose of designating petitioner as a terrorist.”
“WHEREFORE, the petition is GRANTED. Accordingly, ATC Resolution Number 50 (2023) and ATC Resolution No. 56 (2024) are REVERSED and SET ASIDE. The name PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES, and all reference to said individual, is ORDERED DELISTED and/or STRICKEN from ATC Resolution Number 43 (2023) and its concomitant sanction freeze order, Resolution No. TF69,” the ruling stated.
ATC Resolution No. 43, approved on July 26, 2023, had tagged Teves, his brother former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., and 11 others as terrorists.
Teves later sought delisting and the lifting of the freeze order, but his requests were denied under ATC Resolutions Nos. 50 and 56, prompting him to elevate the matter to the CA.