Extradition case of Teves in Timor Leste to be tried again - DOJ

Former Negros Oriental Rep Arnolfo Teves after he was arrested by Timor-Leste authorities. The NBI team was allowed by Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta to talk to Teves while he is still being processed.  Photo courtesy NBI

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>)  -- The Department of Justice said the extradition case of former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. needs to &quot;undergo new proceedings&quot; in Timor Leste.</p><p>The recent development is expected to delay the extradition of the dismissed lawmaker who is accused of masterminding the killing of former governor Roel Degamo and nine other individuals.</p><p>In a statement, the DOJ said the extradition case will have to undergo another trial before the Timor Leste&#x27;s Court of Appeals.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/7/teves-extradition-expected-to-begin-after-papal-visit-in-timor-leste-doj-1317">READ: Teves’ extradition expected to begin after papal visit in Timor-Leste next week -- DOJ</a></div><p>&quot;Same exact evidence is to be presented but this time before 3 judges,&quot; said DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano.</p><p>The DOJ said the new proceedings resulted from the procedural objections made by the lawyers of Teves in Timor Leste.</p><p>The DOJ said the move was clearly an &quot;afterthought&quot; as it was raised only after the proceedings had concluded unfavorably for Teves.</p><p>&quot;In Philippine law, such a move would be barred under the principle of estoppel, which prevents a party from challenging procedural issues if they actively participated in the process and failed to raise objections earlier,&quot; the DOJ said.</p><p>The DOJ however said it is confident that the outcome of the new proceedings will be the same as the previous decision and that Teves will soon face  the multiple murder charges lodged against him before a Manila court. </p><p>&quot;No amount of underhanded tactics will derail our determination to get this fugitive home to face the murder charges. The victims need justice,&quot; said DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.</p><p>Teves&#x27; camp, however, insists that the Timor Leste court &quot;nullified&quot; its previous decision, contrary to the position of the DOJ.</p><p>&quot;It was also underhanded to say that the procedural remedies employed by the lawyers of Mr. Teves were flawed, as in fact it was sustained by the proper judicial authority in TL. The said DOJ statement is unseemly as it casts aspersions on the judicial system of TL,&quot; Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/1/doj-doubly-confident-timor-leste-will-affirm-extradition-of-teves-1330">READ: DOJ &#x27;doubly confident&#x27; Timor Leste will affirm extradition of Teves</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NE4N9HalWYk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2587066"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script></div>

<p>The Department of Justice said the extradition case of former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. needs to “undergo new proceedings” in Timor Leste.</p>

The Department of Justice said the extradition case of former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. needs to “undergo new proceedings” in Timor Leste.

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Extradition case of Teves in Timor Leste to be tried again - DOJ

Extradition case of Teves in Timor Leste to be tried again - DOJ

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 17, 2024 09:21 AM PHT

|

Updated Sep 17, 2024 02:03 PM PHT

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department of justice

arnolfo teves

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timor leste

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