The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 has acquitted former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. of murder charges in connection with the 2019 killing of a provincial official in Dumaguete City.

In a ruling made public on Friday and issued on 05 January 2026, the court granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Teves and his co-accused, Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili, citing insufficient evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The case charged the trio, along with Hannah Mae Sumerano, Jasper Tanasan, and Alex Mayagma, with murder in the 25 March 2019 killing of a provincial official.

The ruling noted that the prosecution failed to sufficiently prove an alleged conspiracy among the accused or directly link them to the crime. A demurrer to evidence is a legal motion seeking the dismissal of a case after the prosecution presents its evidence, arguing that it is inadequate to secure a conviction.

Following the acquittal, Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, claimed the case was part of a broader campaign of political harassment.

“The acquittal of former Congressman Arnolfo Teves of the crime of murder by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 15 of Manila is a vivid demonstration that the cases filed against Mr. Teves are nothing but harassment suits meant to persecute a political opponent,” Topacio said.

Topacio also accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of targeting government critics.

“It shows how the Department of Justice has been weaponized for the purpose of vexing the critics of government. We are fortunate, however, to have found a fair and impartial tribunal that has proven itself truly independent and impervious to political pressures,” he added.

The lawyer vowed to continue defending Teves in other pending cases.

“There are many more battles left to fight for truth and justice. In this, we shall never waver until the last of these groundless suits are dismissed. For indeed, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine,” Topacio said.

The DOJ has yet to issue a statement on whether it will appeal the ruling. Teves remains facing other criminal charges in separate courts.