The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering appealing a Manila court ruling that acquitted former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnie Teves and two others in a 2019 murder case, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said Friday.
“Parang sinasabi kasi ng desisyon ng husgado doon, iisa lang ‘yung testigo na tumayo laban kay former Congressman Teves… Hindi kinatigan ng husgado, sinabi na hindi sapat ‘yun. Kami ngayon, we’re exerting efforts to see… I think there’s a motion for reconsideration,” Fadullon explained.
Last January, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 acquitted Teves and the other accused, citing “failure of the prosecution to establish a prima facie case.”
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez clarified that the 2019 case does not affect ongoing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder cases linked to the 2023 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others.
The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated Teves and his associates as terrorists, citing alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
In June 2025, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that Teves was also facing multiple charges, including:
- Murder before Bayawan RTC-Branch 63
- Illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC-Branch 12
- Violations of the Terrorist Financing, Prevention, and Suppression Act before Quezon City RTC-Branch 77