Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. again refused to enter a plea in one of the murder cases he is facing, prompting a Manila court on Tuesday to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf, in accordance with legal procedure.

The arraignment took place before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 15 and pertains to the 2019 killing of a provincial board member in Negros Oriental, a case that had previously been dismissed during a preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio explained that the case had already been set aside by the DOJ years ago and was only recently revived. He described the development as a mere resuscitation of an already-dismissed complaint.

Topacio further clarified that Teves’ refusal to enter a plea stems from his ongoing protest over the manner of his return to the Philippines.

According to him, the former lawmaker continues to challenge the legality of his deportation from Timor-Leste, which he claims violated due process. The controversy, Topacio said, has even reached the Timorese parliament, which is now investigating the circumstances of Teves’ removal.

The former congressman was apprehended in Dili last year, but a local court in Timor-Leste initially blocked his extradition.

The government deported him in late May, citing his presence as a security threat.

Following his return, Teves was placed under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and is currently held at its Annex 2 facility.

According to Topacio, the legal team had asked the court to ensure that Teves remains in that facility, citing both security concerns and logistical efficiency.

Moving the high-profile detainee, he said, places unnecessary strain on government resources.

Topacio added that Teves remains in stable condition and that his doctors have been granted access to him within the detention center.

He emphasized that it is more practical to bring medical personnel to the facility than to repeatedly transfer the accused for checkups, which require heightened security and planning.

Just a day earlier, Teves also refused to enter a plea in a separate murder case from the same year, handled by a different Manila court.

In both instances, the courts formally entered not guilty pleas on his behalf.

Teves is currently facing multiple murder charges, including those related to the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, a case that led to Teves' expulsion from the House of Representatives.

While the cases mount, Teves has consistently maintained that the charges are politically motivated and has expressed hope for a fair and speedy trial.