Teves attending arraignment via video — lawyer

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. will appear via video conference for his arraignment on Wednesday before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) in connection with multiple murder and attempted murder charges against him, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio assured on Monday.

Teves is set to be arraigned before Manila RTC Branch 51 on 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder — all stemming from a series of violent attacks in Negros Oriental, including the brazen March 2023 assassination of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona town.

While Teves will appear virtually, his legal team is expected to be physically present in court.

In addition to the cases pending before Branch 51, Teves is also facing separate murder charges before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan RTC Branch 63 in Negros Oriental.

In Quezon City, RTC Branch 77 is hearing a separate set of charges against the former lawmaker for alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Financing Law.

Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 for “continued absence without leave” and his refusal to return from a self-imposed exile abroad. He has consistently denied any involvement in the Degamo killing, insisting the charges are politically motivated.