Atty. Ferdinand Topacio on Monday assured that expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. will attend his scheduled video teleconferencing arraignment on Wednesday, 10 June, before a Manila court. Teves faces multiple charges, including ten counts of murder related to the March 2023 assassination of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.

Legal counsels for Teves are expected to appear in person before Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51, where the former lawmaker is charged with ten counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder.

These cases stem from a series of violent incidents in Negros Oriental, culminating in the daylight killing of Degamo and several others in Pamplona town.

In addition to the Branch 51 proceedings, Teves faces separate murder cases pending before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan RTC Branch 63 in Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, Quezon City RTC Branch 77 is handling charges against Teves related to alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Financing Law, further complicating his legal situation.

Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 for "continued absence without leave" and refusal to return from self-exile. He denies involvement in Degamo’s assassination, dismissing the charges as politically motivated.