Court sets Teves arraignment on 30 June

Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will face arraignment before the Manila Regional Trial Court on 30 June 2025 for charges related to firearms and explosives allegedly seized from his property during a police raid last year.

According to a court order dated 25 June, Presiding Judge Merianthe Pacita Zuraek-Enciso of Branch 12 directed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to bring Teves to court at 8:30 a.m. for the proceedings. He is currently detained at the BJMP facility in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The order followed the National Bureau of Investigation-Cybercrime Division’s submission of a return on Teves’ arrest warrant, confirming that he had been apprehended on 29 May by the NBI Cybercrime Division and Special Task Force.

The court also issued a Commitment Order and directed witness Luciana Pilago Bato to attend the hearing.

Teves previously refused to enter a plea during his arraignment on 25 June. His legal team argued that his return from Timor-Leste was an “illegal rendition” that disregarded international legal standards.

The case stems from a March 2023 operation by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Teves’ residence in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City. Authorities said they found high-powered firearms and explosives, allegedly unregistered and illegally possessed.