The Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors on Tuesday dismissed the urgent motion for inhibition filed by suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. which seeks to transfer the investigation of his murder raps to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB).
In an interview with reporters, Teves' legal counsel Atty. Andres Manuel said the DOJ prosecutors denied the plea because they stated that they can "act independently."
“Ang counter naman po natin kanina is ‘yun pong ating motion for inhibition [ay] hindi naman po nakatuon sa panel lamang kundi sa entire Department of Justice,” he said.
Manuel said they already asked the DOJ panel of prosecutors to provide an official copy of the written denial.
"This will help us determine the appropriate course of action," he added.
The legal counsel said they will file a motion of reconsideration soon or they might "choose to escalate the matter to a higher authority."
Last Thursday, June 22, the camp of Teves filed an urgent motion for inhibition seeking to stop the justice department from handling the probe on his murder complaints and prayed to transfer these to the OMB.
The embattled Congressman is presently facing murder charges for his alleged involvement in the killing of the former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
Ferdinand Topacio, one of Teves' legal counsel, said they sought to inhibit the DOJ due to questions on its impartiality.
He argued that DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla has already pronounced that his client is guilty of the crime.
