DOJ confident Timor-Leste won’t grant Teves’ appeal on extradition

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is “doubly confident” that the Court of Appeals (CA) of Timor-Leste will affirm its ruling allowing the extradition of expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Teves, through his legal team, had filed his motion for reconsideration seeking the reversal of the ruling of Timor-Leste on the Philippine government’s extradition request against him.

However, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said “it will take a lot for the CA to reverse their decision,” considering that issues surrounding the extradition request had been discussed lengthily and comprehensively.

“We believe that they will not reverse their prior decision,” he said.

Clavano said Teves’ plea “seems like a rehash” of what the Timor-Leste court has already resolved, such as the claim of political persecution and the supposed death penalty in the Philippines.

“There’s little that they can argue in addition to what they have already argued before. That’s why we’re doubly confident that we will again have confirmation of the decision that was first rendered,” the DOJ assistant secretary said.

The Philippine government sought the extradition of Teves for him to face multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder charges in Manila for the March 4, 2023 assassination of then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, along with nine others.

Aside from the Degamo’s murder, Teves and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

Teves, who has been out of the country since 2023, has also been designated as a “terrorist” last year after he was expelled from the House of Representatives for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.