A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Manila has granted bail to former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. and two co-accused in connection with the 2019 killing of alleged hitman Pacito Libron.
In a resolution issued by Judge Ryan Philipp Bartolome, Teves was allowed to post bail of ₱500,000, while co-accused Richard Cuadra and Ronaldo Pinili were each granted bail set at ₱250,000.
The three were charged with murder—a non-bailable offense—for Libron’s death on June 23, 2019, along a national road in Bayawan City. However, the court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that the evidence of guilt was strong.
“The Court finds that the prosecution failed to show, establish and prove that the evidence of guilt is strong as to each accused in this case for the crime charged against them which is murder,” the ruling stated.
Judge Bartolome’s decision came after a thorough evaluation of witness testimonies, transcript of stenographic notes (TSNs), and other evidence presented by both parties.
During the hearings, state witness Gemuel Hobro identified Teves as the alleged mastermind, claiming Cuadra was the gunman and Pinili the driver. Another witness, Rustico Guerian Jr., also testified that he saw Cuadra shoot the victim.
However, the court found major inconsistencies in the testimonies. Hobro’s statements were described as “riddled with inconsistencies,” noting that he repeatedly changed his answers and introduced details not included in his earlier sworn statements.
“These documents had a lot of missing details which are essential to the case,” the court noted, adding that Hobro’s narration significantly differed from his extrajudicial confession and supplemental affidavit.
Although Hobro claimed he withheld details intentionally to present them in court, the judge emphasized that “it would be unwise to consider his uncorroborated testimony as gospel truth without taking his narration with a grain of salt.”
The court was likewise “not persuaded” by Guerian’s testimony. Even the victim’s wife, Alma Libron, failed to positively identify the alleged gunman and admitted she could no longer recall key details such as what the suspects were wearing.
Still Detained Despite Bail
Despite being granted bail in this case—and his earlier acquittal in January over the murder of former board member Michael Dungog—Teves remains in custody at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
The former lawmaker still faces 11 other murder charges, including the killing of Lester Bato and multiple cases linked to the March 2023 attack in Pamplona that claimed the life of Governor Roel Degamo.
Following the bail grant, the court has scheduled the initial presentation of the prosecution’s evidence on June 23 at 9:00 a.m.