DOJ to seek reconsideration of bail grant to ex-Rep Arnie Teves Jr. on murder charge
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Sept. 12, said it will file a motion to reconsider the trial court’s ruling that granted bail to former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in one of his several murder cases.
In a statement, the DOJ said “the cases against Mr. Teves involve extremely serious allegations of violence and terroristic acts, and to allow his release would pose a grave and imminent danger to the public.”
The statement was issued after Judge Renato Enciso of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 issued an order that granted the bail petition of Teves.
Teves is facing before the RTC’s Branch 12 a murder case in connection with the 2019 killing of Lester Bato, a bodyguard for Basay mayoralty candidate Cliff Cordova.
The DOJ said “this grant of bail will be the subject of strong opposition by our prosecutors.”
“The ruling in this single case does not diminish, nor does it affect, the weight and strength of the other charges pending against Mr. Teves,” it also said.
Teves was also charged with 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder pending before the Manila RTC Branch 51 in connection with the March 2023 Pamplona attack that claimed the life of Gov. Roel Degamo and several others.
He was also charged with murder in the 2019 killings of Negros Oriental provincial board member Michael Dungog and alleged hitman Pacito Libron.
“The Department underscores that justice must prevail—not only for the victims and their families, but also for the rule of law and for the safety of the Filipino people,” the DOJ declared.
It stressed that it will remain steadfast in its duty to exhaust every legal remedy, to vigorously oppose unwarranted bail applications, and to ensure that accountability is demanded to its fullest extent.