DOJ to appeal decision granting Teves bail

MANILA, Philippines — State prosecutors are set to appeal a court ruling allowing former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. to post bail in connection with a 2019 murder case.

“The Department of Justice has taken note of the order of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 granting bail to Teves… We emphasize, however, that this grant of bail will be the subject of strong opposition by our prosecutors,” the DOJ said in a press statement.

“The ruling in this single case does not diminish or affect the weight and strength of the other charges pending against Mr. Teves,” the statement added.

According to the DOJ, Teves is facing multiple murder cases in various courts, on top of allegations of violence and terroristic acts.

“To allow Teves’ release would pose a grave and imminent danger to the public... The Department underscores that justice must prevail not only for the victims and their families, but also for the rule of law and for the safety of the Filipino people,” the DOJ said.

“We remain steadfast in our duty to exhaust every legal remedy, to vigorously oppose unwarranted bail applications and to ensure that accountability is demanded to its fullest extent,” the agency added.

Although the court granted Teves’ motion for bail, defense lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the former congressman remains in detention.

“We still have pending bail petitions in two other cases. However, this is a manifestation that the cases are weak since they are just politically motivated,” Teves said in message to reporters sent via Viber.

Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder pending before the Manila RTC Branch 51 in connection with the March 2023 attack in Pamplona town that killed Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others.

Three separate murder cases linked to the 2019 killings in the province are pending before the RTC Branches 12, 15 and 30.

Teves also faces a case for illegal possession of firearms and explosives at the Manila RTC Branch 12 and a separate case for violations of Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, at the Quezon City RTC Branch 77.