Teves recovering after appendectomy

MANILA, Philippines — Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. is recovering after he underwent surgery to remove his appendix at the Philippine General Hospital, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said yesterday.

Teves had complained of severe stomach pains on Tuesday while detained at the Metro Manila District Jail at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

“He is recuperating well,” Topacio said, calling out the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 over supposed delays in addressing Teves’ health condition.

“It demonstrates the potentially fatal results when trial courts do not abide by directives of the Supreme Court concerning the issuance of commitment orders, thus short-circuiting the judicial process for the safeguarding of prisoners,” Topacio added.

Teves is facing murder charges over the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others in 2023.

Topacio decried Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo’s statement that Teves’ camp was full of “drama.”

Timor-Leste authorities deported Teves in May, ending his two years of evading arrest.