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

The ruling made public on Friday was issued on 5 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 their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Charged with the trio were three others — Hannah Mae Sumerano, Jasper Tanasan and Alex Mayagma — for the 25 March 2019 killing of a provincial official.

The ruling said the prosecution failed to sufficiently prove a conspiracy among the accused or directly link them to the crime. A demurrer to the evidence is a legal motion seeking the dismissal of a case after the prosecution had presented its evidence, with the defense arguing that this was insufficient to secure a conviction.

Harassment ploy

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 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 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 said.

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 is dismissed. For indeed, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine,” Topacio said.

The DoJ has yet to say if it will appeal the ruling. Teves still faces other criminal charges in various courts.