A not guilty plea was entered by a Quezon City court on behalf of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. on Friday, 11 July, after he declined to enter a plea during his arraignment on terrorism charges.

Teves, appearing via videoconference, invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination in refusing to enter a plea.

Earlier, Teves made the same stance in previous legal proceedings where the court also entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel of Teves, confirmed the development to reporters, saying, “Arraignment done. Not guilty plea entered. Pretrial deferred.”

The expelled congressman is facing charges of violating Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 10168, also known as the “Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012,” before the QC Regional Trial Court.

The charges stem from the 4 March 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in a daylight attack.