Latest news with #Branch51
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Court orders Arnie Teves transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa
A Manila court has denied the motion of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. to remain detained under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the New Bilibid Prison. In a 5-page order, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 issued a commitment order transferring Teves from the NBI to the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. Branch 51 handles the Teves murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder case over the alleged killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and 10 others in 2023. 'This Court finds no merit in the motion of the accused to maintain his custody with the NBI detention facility,' the Court said. In his motion, Teves' camp expressed concern over his safety. It also cited the Certificate of Handover signed by the Timor-Leste and Philippine government prior to the deportation. However, the RTC said the certificate does not state that a specific agency must take custody of Teves as a prerequisite for his transfer. It also did not give weight to Teves' claim that he may be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment. 'While the detention facilities in our country may not possess the luxuries a person may have been accustomed to, the detention therein does not automatically make it inhuman or degrading treatment upon one detainee's mere say so,' it said. 'Aside from this claim, the court failed to see any threats against the safety and life of the accused Teves, Jr. mentioned in the motion and how letting him remain in the custody of the NBI facility will secure him against said threats,' it added. The Court said that it appears that Teves is choosing his detention facility 'for his own convenience.' GMA News Online has asked the NBI regarding the possible transfer. The Manila RTC Branch 12, which is handling Teves' illegal possession of firearms and explosives case, has previously ordered his transfer to the Manila City Jail. NBI Director Jaime Santiago, however, held off the transfer, explaining that several courts are handling Teves' cases and may order his detention in other areas. Teves and several others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Manila court enters ‘not guilty' plea for Teves in Degamo murder case
A Manila court on Tuesday entered a not guilty plea for former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. in the multiple murder case filed against him over the alleged killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, his camp said. Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves' legal counsel, said the former lawmaker again invoked his right to remain silent before the Manila regional trial court (RTC) Branch 51. Teves attended the arraignment through teleconference. 'Because he has serious reservations about the manner by which he was repatriated by the Philippine government in coordination with the government of Timor-Leste,' Topacio said in an ambush interview. The former lawmaker was deported from Timor-Leste in late May. Teves' camp previously lamented his deportation amid the habeas corpus petition they filed asking the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal for his body to be produced before the court following his arrest. The former congressman is facing murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder charges over the killing of Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Topacio said the next hearing will take place on August 20. Meanwhile, Atty. Andrei Bon Tagum represented congresswoman-elect and former Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the late governor's widow. 'All I can say is that today marks a difficult step towards justice. And the private complainant, congresswoman-elect Janice Degamo has waited so long for this,' Tagum said in a separate interview. Last week, Teves was arraigned for his case over illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The Manila RTC Branch 12 also entered a not guilty plea for him. Teves and several others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence. A Manila court has ordered his transfer from the NBI detention facility in the New Bilibid Prison to the Manila City Jail. —RF, GMA Integrated News
