Negros Oriental's 3rd district Representative, Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr., has denied the reports claiming his return to the Philippines on May 17, Wednesday, dismissing them as "fake news".
These reports were initially sparked by remarks made on May 16 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary, Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla, who cited a supposedly reliable source.
“It was stated to me by a reliable source, [or] who I consider as a reliable source... We want him to be able to face the charges properly. And the timing is perfect because the charges will be filed tomorrow. I hope he comes home,” Remulla told a briefing on Tuesday.
Adding fuel to the speculations was Teves' cryptic Facebook post on Tuesday night, which read, “READY NABA ANG ALL? ðĪŠ.”
In a radio interview on Wednesday, Teves challenged the credibility of Remulla's statements, saying, “You want a more reliable source? Sino bang reliable source, yung source nila or ako?“
The suspended congressman further criticized the DOJ Secretary's premature remarks, stating that they should have consulted him first before making any assumptions about his decisions.
“Fake news. Yes [you can quote me]... Dapat tinanong muna nila ako bago sila nagsalita sa mga desisyon ko 'di ba,“ he added.
Teves has been out of the country since February 28 and is tagged as the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4.
Fearing for his safety, he has refused to return home to the Philippines.
In an attempt to seek asylum, Teves applied to Timor-Leste earlier this month, but his application was rejected.
