Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. (left) and Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla (Facebook)

Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. has branded as "fake news" the reports that he will come back home to the Philippines on Wednesday, May 17.

The reports of his supposed return stemmed from remarks made Tuesday, May 16 by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, who cited a reliable source.

"You want a more reliable source? Sino bang reliable source, yung source nila or ako? (Who is a reliable source, their source or me?)" Teves said in an interview on Radyo Pilipinas early Wednesday.

"Fake news. Yes [you can quote me]," the suspended congressman said of Remulla's statements.

"Dapat tinanong muna nila ako bago sila nagsalita sa mga desisyon ko di ba (They should've asked me before speaking about my decisions)," Teves added.

Teves, who is tagged as the mastermind of the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, has been out of the country since Feb. 28. He has refused to come back home for fear of his life.

Earlier this month, the embattled Teves sought political asylum in Timor-Leste, but his request was turned down. He appealed the rejection.

Asked for comment about his political asylum bid, the former deputy speaker said, "Tanungin mo na lang si Boying. Alam niya siguro yun. Mas marami siyang alam sa akin (Ask Boying instead. He probably knows that. He knows more than I do)."

Regarding Degamo's assassination, he insisted that "all angles should be looked into". He has denied any hand in the killing.

Remulla also said that charges would be filed against Teves Wednesday.