Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the legal counsel of former congressman Arnolfo Teves, swiftly responded to the statement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Asec. Mico Clavano claims that Topacio's announcement on Teves' "release" was misleading.
In an exclusive interview during Dos Por Dos on Tuesday, Topacio said Teves was indeed released from prison as the Philippine government's extradition request failed to follow Timor Leste's due process.
"Ginugulo po ng ating Department of Justice ang usapin at tinawag na misleading samantalang sila po ang nagmimislead," said Topacio.
"'Yun pong pagpapalaya kahapon kay ginoong Teves ay dahil sa desisyon ng Court of Appeals dito sa Timor Leste na tatlo ang mahistrado,"
Topacio said the Philippines' extradition request wrote the e-mail in English, which Timor-Leste did not accept.
He also said he knows what is happening in the case of Teves because he is in Timor-Leste.
Furthermore, Topacio stressed that Teves was not rearrested but was "taken into custody" to ensure he would attend the next hearing.
"Totoo pong pinalaya hindi po ako nagsisinungaling kahit dalihin ko po sakanya [Clavano], kung marunong si Clavano ng Portuguese ay basahain na niya na talagang ang naging reason po ay nangamote po ang ating pamahalaan sa extradition request po nila," said the lawyer.
"Nandoon po siya sa isang holding area ng PNTL (National Police of East Timor) Dati po siya ay nasa totoong kulungan yung Begora prison," he added.
He said based on the people he talked to from Timor Leste, Topacio said the extradition of Teves will be brought to another court, except for the previously submitted extradition request by the DOJ.
"Yun po ang pinaliwanag sa akin ng mga taong nakakaalam sa Portuguese law na hindi naman po alam ni Atty. Clavano," the lawyer said.
The statement was made following the statement issued by Clavano clarifying that the former Congressman was released but was subsequently re-arrested.
"Thus, the statements of Atty. Topacio are misleading, highly irresponsible, and an insult to both countries," said Clavano.
