The Department of Justice (DoJ) has addressed recent media reports saying that former representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. was acquitted in the 2019 murder of Miguel Lopez Dungog.

The DoJ clarified that it had not received any official court order confirming an acquittal. Until the prosecution is formally served an authenticated copy of the ruling, the department cannot verify or confirm the accuracy of the report.

Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said, “Even if Teves were acquitted in the Dungog case, he will not be released because he remains lawfully detained for other pending criminal cases.”

These include multiple murder charges currently before the Regional Trial Courts of Manila, including high-profile cases related to the assassination of the late governor Roel Degamo.

The DoJ assured the public that once the prosecution receives the official court order, it will immediately act and pursue all legal remedies available under the law.

The department also urged the public to rely only on official announcements and verified information.