Expelled Congressman’s Refusal to Enter Plea Explained
Expelled congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. made headlines after he declined to enter any plea—guilty or not guilty—during his arraignment on June 5. The Manila regional trial court (RTC) faced this unusual stance in a case involving illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Because of his refusal, RTC Judge Renato Z. Enciso directed the court to record a plea of “not guilty” on his behalf.
Teves’ legal counsel, Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, clarified that the decision stemmed from “certain legal complications in Timor-Leste.” He told reporters, “It’s a symbolic act. It’s a legal act in so far as the government of Timor-Leste is concerned. It’s an act of protest as to the actuations of the Philippine government especially the executive branch.”
Legal Complications in Timor-Leste Behind Plea Refusal
Topacio explained that Teves’ refusal to enter a plea was tied to Timor-Leste’s recent move to arrest him and initiate deportation proceedings, citing his undocumented status. Before this arrest, the Timor-Leste Tribunal De Recurso had denied the Philippines’ extradition request for Teves.
Following the arrest, the court granted a writ of habeas corpus petition filed by Teves’ lawyers, which should have compelled the government to release him. However, the Timor-Leste government reportedly did not comply with this order.
“Dahil nga po hindi sinunod ng gobyerno ng Timor-Leste ‘yung writ of habeas corpus na inisyu ng Tribunal De Recurso ay iimbestigahan po ng parliament ng Timor-Leste kung bakit po tinurn over sa Philippine government si Ginoong Teves (Because the Timor-Leste government did not obey the writ of habeas corpus issued by the Tribunal De Recurso, the Timor-Leste parliament has decided to investigate why Teves was turned over to the Philippine government) notwithstanding the existence of a final and executory court judgment on the request of the Philippine government for extradition and denied the same,” Topacio added.
Multiple Charges and Detainment
Aside from the illegal firearms case, the Manila RTC Branch 12 is handling a separate murder charge against Teves. He has also been designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) in connection with the March 4, 2023 shooting in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. This attack resulted in the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
The Pamplona shooting case is pending before Manila RTC Branch 51, where Teves faces 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder. He also faces a murder charge each before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan City RTC Branch 63, as well as a violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before Quezon City RTC Branch 77.
Currently, Teves remains detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) facility inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago said the agency will await further court orders regarding Teves’ possible transfer to the Manila City jail.
For more news and updates on illegal possession of firearms and explosives, visit Filipinokami.com.