EXPELLED Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. is scheduled to appear before a Manila court via videoconferencing on Tuesday, June 10, for his arraignment for various charges, including 10 counts of murder in connection with the March 2023 assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo, and a series of deadly attacks in the province.
Now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Teves was deported from Timor-Leste in May after months in self-exile. He will not appear in person before Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51, but his legal counsel is expected to attend the proceedings in person.
Teves faces 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder. The charges stem from the broad daylight assault in Pamplona town that left Governor Degamo and several civilians dead.
In addition to the cases pending before RTC Branch 51, Teves also faces separate murder charges before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan RTC Branch 63 in Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, Quezon City RTC Branch 77 is handling a separate set of charges against him for alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Financing Law.
Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 for "continued absence without leave" and refusal to return to the country amid mounting legal troubles. He has repeatedly denied involvement in the killings, claiming the charges are politically motivated.
Last week, Teves was arraigned before Manila RTC Branch 12 on weapons and explosives charges. He refused to enter a plea, prompting the court to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.