Detained ex-Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. will remain at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention facility until a court sets a date for his arraignment, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.
DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed in an interview that a return — a legal document certifying that Teves is now in government custody — was submitted to the court last Friday. However, Teves cannot yet stand trial in any of the pending cases until the court issues a formal order scheduling his arraignment.
“Hangga’t wala pa pong order from the court scheduling the arraignment, he will be detained still at the NBI detention center,” Clavano said.
(Until there is no court order for his arraignment, he will be detained at the NBI detention center)
Teves is facing several criminal charges, some of which were filed in provincial courts. DOJ officials are exploring the possibility of consolidating these cases in Metro Manila due to serious security concerns related to transporting the high-profile detainee across various jurisdictions.
As of Tuesday, Clavano said no formal motion for consolidation has been filed. Any move to consolidate must be approved by the judges handling the respective cases, in coordination with DOJ prosecutors.
“If the evidence or witnesses are similar across the cases, then consolidation would make more sense,” Clavano explained. “But this is something the Prosecutor General is still evaluating.”
In the event that the cases remain under the jurisdiction of different provincial courts, DOJ may instead seek to have Teves attend hearings via video conferencing to minimize security risks.
Clavano clarified that only government prosecutors — not the families of victims — are legally authorized to request case consolidation. Since all cases are filed in the name of the People of the Philippines, prosecutors are the recognized parties before the court.
“The prosecutors, definitely [are the ones who can request],” he said. “Once a case is filed in court, the parties recognized by the judiciary are the prosecutors, not the victims or their families.”
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon is currently reviewing whether consolidation is justified based on the evidence and logistical concerns.
The former lawmaker, who was deported back to the Philippines after nearly two years in hiding, continues to deny all charges, including the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.