Zenaida Teves speaks out in support of son Arnie

Former congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. stood before the media after two years in hiding, flanked by his mother, Zenaida, and his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio — embodying the personal and legal battles now entwined in one of the country’s most high-profile cases.

Zenaida, the mother of Arnie, found the moment deeply emotional.

“I thank God that after two years, I finally saw and embraced my son again,” she said, her voice cracking. “We didn’t even need words. That hug said it all,” she said when asked about what she felt at the moment.

Zenaida spoke of the heartbreak of the past two years, unable to visit her son in Timor-Leste as her husband battled illness and eventually passed away last December. “We weren’t able to go home to Negros… It was a very difficult time,” she recalled.

But while a mother’s love took center stage emotionally, it was Topacio who laid out the legal battle lines, making it clear that his team was ready for the courtroom fight.

“We consider the habeas corpus issue in Timor-Leste as water under the bridge,” he said. “We are now laser-focused on Mr. Teves’ defense here in the Philippines,” said Topacio.

While the Department of Justice has laid out a battery of charges against Teves—including multiple murder counts, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms, and terrorist financing—Topacio said his defense team will not be intimidated.

“We will do everything under the law to give him our best defense,” he said, carefully noting that specific legal strategies will remain confidential due to the sub judice rule.

But both the Teves family and the legal camp were united in publicly expressing their appreciation for the National Bureau of Investigation’s treatment of the embattled former congressman.

Zenaida said she really would like to thank (National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago) and the whole NBI troop, adding, “Talagang maganda ‘yung pagkakatrato nila sa anak ko. I am grateful that after two years, I could finally see and hug my son again.”

Despite the emotional pain of her husband’s passing and the long separation, Zenaida said she found comfort knowing her son was treated decently and humanely upon his return.

Her sentiment was echoed by Topacio, singling out the professionalism of the bureau.

“I affirm the statements of Director Santiago earlier that all basic human rights as guaranteed in the Constitution, all the rights of the accused, and all norms of decency were observed,” he said. “Napakabait, napaka-disente, at napaka-matulungin po ng staff ng NBI, the entire organization.”

The lawyer even went a step further, extending a call to other fugitives still at large.

“We encourage others who may be fugitives from the law — perhaps consider surrendering here to Director Santiago. You can be assured of fair, impartial, and very decent treatment.”