Former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. has been acquitted of murder charges linked to the 2019 killing of a provincial official in Dumaguete City, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 in Manila ruled.
In an order dated January 5, 2026, but made public on Friday, the court granted the “Demurrer to Evidence” filed by Teves and co-accused Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili, citing insufficient proof to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The case also involved three other accused — Hannah Mae Sumerano, Jasper Tanasan, and Alex Mayagma.
The RTC noted that the prosecution failed to demonstrate a conspiracy among the accused or directly link them to the crime. A demurrer to evidence is a legal motion requesting dismissal after the prosecution presents its case, arguing that the evidence is inadequate for conviction.
Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, called the acquittal a vindication against political harassment.
“The acquittal of former congressman Arnolfo Teves of the crime of murder by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 15 of Manila is a vivid demonstration that the cases filed against Mr. Teves are nothing but harassment suits meant to persecute a political opponent,” Topacio said.
Topacio further criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly targeting government critics.
“It shows how the Department of Justice has been weaponized for the purpose of vexing the critics of government. We are fortunate, however, to have found a fair and impartial tribunal that has proven itself truly independent and impervious to political pressures,” he added.
He pledged to continue defending Teves in other pending cases: “There are many more battles left to fight for truth and justice. In this, we shall never waver until the last of these groundless suits are dismissed. For indeed, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine,” Topacio said.
The DOJ has not yet commented on whether it will appeal the ruling. Teves still faces separate criminal charges, including the March 4, 2023 assassination of late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, and remains designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.