Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge of illegal possession of explosives during his arraignment at Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12.

Presiding Judge Renato Enciso heard the plea in a session held at 8:30 AM, following days of uncertainty over whether Teves would appear in person or via online arraignment. His legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, previously told DAILY TRIBUNE that no court order had been issued to allow remote appearance, leading to the presumption that Teves would be brought to court physically.

The arraignment covers only one murder case and several weapons charges, a fraction of the broader legal troubles facing Teves. He is currently detained at the National Bureau of Investigation, which has postponed his transfer to the Manila City Jail due to multiple, potentially conflicting commitment orders from different courts.

Teves is also facing 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder, as well as terrorism financing charges in separate courts across Manila and Quezon City. All cases stem from a series of killings in Negros Oriental, including the March 2023 assassination of Governor Roel Degamo.

The embattled former lawmaker, recently deported from Timor-Leste, maintains that all charges against him are politically motivated.

With Nicholas Price