Timor-Leste Court of Appeals denies extradition of Cong. Teves

Justice Assistant Secretary Atty. Mico Clavano yesterday afternoon confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been informed of an adverse ruling regarding the 2 December 2024 decision of the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal in the extradition case of former Congressman Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.

This was the reaction of Clavano, who said, “While the office has yet to receive an official copy of the ruling, the DOJ is both surprised and deeply disappointed by this development.”

Clavano said it is peculiar that after having twice decided in favor of extradition—first in June 2024 and again in December 2024—the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal has now reversed its stance, taking a complete 180-degree turn to reject the Philippines' extradition request.

He said this sudden shift raises serious concerns, and they are currently seeking further clarification regarding the basis of this decision.

“We reiterate our firm request for cooperation in this matter. Mr. Teves is facing serious charges, including multiple counts of murder, and must be brought home to face the full force of the law. Allowing him to evade justice would be the height of injustice, not only to the victims and their families but to the integrity of the rule of law,” Clavano reiterated.

Further, the DOJ official said, “This case is not merely a legal issue; it is a matter of justice. The Philippine government remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring accountability and upholding the principles of due process. We call on all concerned authorities to respect our legal processes and uphold international cooperation in the pursuit of justice.”

But Clavano said the government will not stop and will explore and exhaust all legal remedies available to ensure that justice is served and that Mr. Teves is held accountable for the crimes he is accused of.

He said the DOJ will provide further updates as soon as they receive the official decision and assess their next legal steps.

Meanwhile, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of Teves, in a statement said, "The decision of the plenary of the Tribunal de Recursos of Timor-Leste (TL), denying the request for extradition of Rep. Arnolfo Teves to the Philippines to face trumped-up charges fabricated by the oppressive and dictatorial Marcos government, is a triumph of the rule of law and an indictment of the kind of government we currently have: a government that ignores the Constitution and the laws of the Republic in the brazen desire to silence political dissent and destroy the legitimate political opposition.”

"The recent events wherein the government has again run roughshod over the laws of the land in kidnapping a former President of the Republic without due process and in contravention of the legal system, is a validation of the decision of the TL court that those who are targeted for political assassination in the Philippines cannot get a fair shake under its now heavily-corrupted executive branch.

"I congratulate my counterpart lawyers in Timor Leste -- Lisensiados Duarte and Jose Pedro Sousa, Dr. Ximenes and others who tl formed the so-called Tanggol Teves Team -- for their unwavering faith in the justness of our cause.

"Finally, we are confident that at the proper time, after the present kakistocracy has run its course, that our client's innocence shall be shown in an impartial and unbiased atmosphere of justice."