Former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr.鈥檚 mugshot taken during processing at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Pasay City. 鈥� Photo from NBI
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The impending transfer of expelled Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. was temporarily halted after his lawyers filed a motion to consolidate cases against the former lawmaker.
Teves has several criminal cases pending before the Manila Court including the March 4, 2023聽 shooting in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where Governor Roel Degamo and nine others; and the 2019聽killing聽of former Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Dungog and two others.
READ: Teves to stay in NBI detention facility for now
Teves is also facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12.
The Manila Court already issued a commitment order for Teves to be transferred from the National Bureau of Investigation鈥檚 detention facility at the New Bilibid Prison to the Manila City Jail.
But Teves鈥� lawyers filed a motion for consolidation to streamline the legal proceedings and determne where Teves would be turned over.
鈥淪ige i-hold muna yan [transfer] at hintayin natin ang final decision ng Manila Courts para finally madetermine namin saan finally namin itu-turn over si Congressman Teves,鈥� National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said.
[Let鈥檚 hold it first and wait for the final decision of the Manila courts so that we can finally determine where we should turn over Congressman Teves.]
鈥淪usunod naman kami sa kagustuhan ng hukuman [We will follow the will of the court],鈥� Santiago said adding that his directive 鈥渋s to give him his rights鈥� ensuring that despite the ongoing legal and logistical uncertainties, Teves鈥� fundamental rights will be upheld.
Meanwhile, the Manila Court has set Teves鈥� arraignment on cases of murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives on Thursday morning.
Teves鈥� lawyers has asked the court to do the arraignment via video conferencing or zoom.