Suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves is seeking to dismiss the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives filed against him.
The motion for dismissal was filed by his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and two other legal counsels before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Friday, April 14.
"May motion to dismiss kami under the new rules of the National Prosecutors Service. In-invoke din natin 'yung right ng any person under investigation of a criminal offense to be heard by himself and or slash counsel," Topaico told the media in an interview.
Earlier, the DOJ panel of prosecutors dismissed one complaint of illegal possession of firearms and unlawful possession filed against Teves, citing insufficient evidence.
Apart from Teves, his personnel Jose Pablo Gimarangan, who also faces the same charges, filed a motion for dismissal.
"In respect kay Jose Gimarangan, nag-file kami ng pinagsamang contrast na salaysay to emphasize the insubstantiality filed against him. Kasi last time, no'ng binigyan ng pagkakataon 'yung PNP-CIDG para magsumite ng karagdagan ng documents to prove elements of the crime but they failed to provide pieces of evidence in respect to that," Gimarangan's legal counsel Michael Amella told the media.
Jose Pablo Gimarangan is among the six individuals who were arrested during the simultaneous raid in the five houses owned by the Negros Oriental Congressman last March 10.
Meanwhile, Topacio said Teves will still show up and virtually testify in a Senate hearing despite the objections to his attendance.
The Senate hearing on the Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo's death and other killings perpetuated in Negros Oriental is set for Monday, April 17.
