The father of sacked Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., Arnolfo Teves Sr., passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of 77.
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel for the embattled Teves Jr., who is currently in Timor-Leste fighting his extradition to the Philippines over charges linking him to the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several civilians, issued a statement.
“Lubhang nakaragdag sa kalungkutan ni Rep. Teves at ng kanyang buong sambahayan, ang kanyang ina, mga kapatid, at lahat ng kanyang mga kaanak na ang kanyang ama ay yumao ng bisperas ng Pasko, na dapat sana’y isang araw ng pagdiriwang at kasiyahan,” Topacio said in a statement.
(It gravely adds to the sadness of Rep. Teves and his household, mother, siblings, and all their relatives that his father passed away on the eve of Christmas, a day that should have been for celebration and joy.)
Topacio said Teves is overwhelmed with grief, especially since he cannot pay his last respects to his father.
“Ngunit ang pinakamasakit na dagok para kay Rep. Teves ay ang pangyayaring siya ay nasa ibayong-dagat at hindi makauwi upang mayakap lamang sana at magbigay ng huling pagpupugay at pamamaalam sa kanyang amang sumakabilang-buhay na, sa kadahilanan ng walang basehan at walang humpay na pag-uusig at panggigipit ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan, dahil lamang sa pulitika at makasariling interes,” Topacio added.
(The hardest thing for Rep. Teves is that he is abroad and cannot come home to embrace and give his last respects and goodbye to his father who has passed away, due to the baseless and relentless persecution and pressure from the current government, solely because of politics and personal interests.)
The Department of Justice earlier announced that Timor-Leste had ruled in favor of Manila’s extradition request for the second time.
“We expected no less,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said.
Remulla added, “This second grant of extradition reaffirms that our government’s request is justified and that Timor-Leste’s first decision was the right one.”
The procedural objections from Teves' legal team prompted the second round of hearings.
Remulla claimed the objections came after Teves willingly participated in the proceedings but later challenged the process when the ruling did not favor him.