Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (left) and former Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (right) ABS-CBN News/fileMANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said Timor-Leste, which rejected the extradition request of the Philippine government for the return of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. is applying for membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Palace on Timor-Leste ruling favoring Teves: 'Hangga’t kaya ilalaban natin'

Remulla continued to express disappointment over the decision of the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal to reverse its earlier decision to extradite Teves.

Teves is facing multiple murder cases before the Manila Regional Trial Court for the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and other individuals in 2023. 

“It is not going to be pleasant for Timor Leste because they are applying to be in the ASEAN and we are one of the founding fathers of the ASEAN,” Remulla said.

Remulla stressed that the Philippine government will appeal for the reversal of the recent decision of the court. 

“We are filing an MR (motion for reconsideration) but there are other branches of government moving especially that there were commitments made before about this matter is just a very simple matter of an undocumented Filipino who is accused of a crime to be returned to the country,” Remulla said.

Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ lawyer in the Philippines, questioned the statement of Remulla on the ASEAN membership application of Timor-Leste.

”Why is the Secretary of Justice the one issuing threats to a country with which we have diplomatic relations? Aside from being unseemly, he should mind his place in the governmental hierarchy,” Topacio said.

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