Expelled Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.’s arraignment, set for Thursday, has been postponed due to his hospitalization, as well as the court’s lack of jurisdiction over him.

Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has not returned the warrant of arrest issued by the Metro Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15. Unless turned over, the court has no authority over Teves.

“Actually, the arraignment cannot push through, not only because Mr. Teves is hospitalized, but because of the tenor of the latest order of Branch 15 that, pending the return by the NBI of the warrant issued by the court, it had not yet acquired jurisdiction over the person of our client,” Topacio explained.

RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort reported that as of now, the former Negros Oriental representative is recuperating at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) after his appendectomy.