DOJ: Teves back in Philippines by end-July

MANILA, Philippines — Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. is expected to return to the Philippines next month, according to the Department of Justice.

At a press conference yesterday, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said they are expecting Teves to be sent back within July even if his camp appeals the extradition order issued by the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste.

Teves was given 30 days to appeal the decision based on Article 300 of the Code of Civil Procedure of Timor-Leste.

“If they will file (a motion for reconsideration) by Monday, hopefully, by the end of next week, we already have a decision,” Clavano said.

“If they exhaust the 30 days, which we anticipate that they will do, then it will be 30 days after the filing when we will see what the decision of the Court of Appeals is. So if we’re given 30 days…around the last week of July, we will see Teves in the Philippines,” he added.

Earlier this week, the DOJ confirmed that the Timorese court granted the country’s extradition request against Teves.

Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio has expressed their intention to appeal the decision.

Clavano also shared that they are already preparing the facility where Teves would be detained upon his return to the Philippines.

“We are looking at several options. Again, the primordial concern here is the safety and security of Mr. Teves,” Clavano said.

“We are considering, perhaps, the NBI (National Bureau of Immigration) or the PNP (Philippine National Police) custodial center,“ he added.

Clavano also shared that a “multi-faceted” team to fetch Teves from Timor-Leste has been created, composed of law enforcement, legal, immigration and medical personnel.