The Philippines' Department of Justice (DOJ) trusts that Timor-Leste will stand firm on the decision to extradite former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
Teves faces charges for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder over a shooting incident last 2023 in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted to the death of Gov. Roel Degamo.
"We are confident that the outcome of the new proceedings will be the same as the previous decision," DOJ said on Tuesday, September 17, in a statement.
"The legal merits are clear, and we expect that Mr. Teves will face justice in the Philippines soon, given the strong evidence against him in connection with multiple serious charges," the agency added.
DOJ confirmed that the camp of Teves attempts to contest the extradition on procedural ground 'specifically questioning the number of judges involved in the decision'.
The Justice Department downplayed the move of Teves as a 'a clear afterthought, raised only after the proceedings had concluded unfavorably' against the former lawmaker.
"In Philippine law, such a move would be barred under the principle of estoppel, which prevents a party from challenging procedural issues if they actively participated in the process and failed to raise objections earlier," DOJ stressed.
"Mr. Teves and his representatives were fully engaged in the proceedings, had the opportunity to present their case, and were afforded due process throughout. Their recent objections only arose after they failed to secure a favorable outcome," the agency stressed.
DOJ Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla said that no amount of underhanded tactics will derail the determination of the Philippine government to extradite Teves, and attain justice for the victims.
Authorities in Timor-Leste apprehended Teves last March due to a red notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization, but released him in a later date.
Authorities later re-arrested Teves and placed him under the custody of the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste.
Last June, DOJ announced that the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste granted the request of the Philippine government for the extradition of Teves.
