Manila RTC sets Teves' arraignment on murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder on June 10
Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. is set for arraignment at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, before the Manila regional trial court (RTC) on 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and five counts of attempted murder.
After reading the charges during arraignment, an accused is directed to enter his plea – either guilty or not guilty. If an accused refuses to enter a plea, a plea of not guilty will be entered on the records.
The cases stemmed from the March 4, 2023 killings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where Gov. Roel Degamo and nine persons died, and 18 others injured, 13 of them seriously wounded.
Teves, who had been declared a terrorist, was named as the alleged mastermind in the killings.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime B. Santiago told journalists: “Sa Martes ho uli (June 10, 2025) arraignment sa Branch 51 RTC Manila naman ni Cong. Teves...2:00 PM (this Tuesday, June 10, Cong. Teves will be arraigned at 2 pm before Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51).”
Last Thursday, June 5, Teves was arraigned before Manila RTC Branch 12 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
When Teves refused to enter a plea, “the Presiding Judge entered a not guilty plea on behalf of accused Teves with regard to the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives,” the NBI said.
“Teves remains in the custody at the NBI detention facility within the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City,” it also said.
Earlier, Director Santiago had said that the NBI will await court orders on the transfer of Teves’ detention to the Manila City jail.
Aside from alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives, Teves has also a case for murder before the Manila RTC Branch 12.
Other charges lodged against Teves include one count of murder each before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan City RTC Branch 63 and violation of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before Quezon City RTC Branch 77.