Extradition ruling vs Teves not canceled out – DOJ

The extradition of ex-congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. is still on, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which contradicted claims that the Timor-Leste court has nullified its ruling that granted the request of the Philippine government to extradite the ousted lawmaker to the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday contradicted claims that the Timor-Leste court has nullified the extradition of ousted congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Philippines.

The DOJ did not name the source of such claims, but Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said during a September 14 press forum that the Philippines’ extradition request had been voided.

“Contrary to these claims, the proper court in Timor-Leste has already ruled, based on the merits, that Mr. Teves should be extradited to the Philippines,” the DOJ said in a statement.

It also said Teves’ camp is now trying to contest the extradition ruling, specifically questioning the number of judges involved in the decision.

READ: DOJ: Timor-Leste denies Teves’ appeal against extradition

The DOJ, however, dismissed the move of Teves’ camp as a mere afterthought and an attempt to undermine the ruling of the Timor-Leste court.

“This is a clear afterthought, raised only after the proceedings had concluded unfavorably for him,” it noted.

“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,” it likewise pointed out.

According to the DOJ, Teves and his representatives were fully engaged in the proceedings at the Timor-Leste court and were given due process.

READ: Teves to return to PH ‘very soon’ – Remulla

The DOJ said it is confident that the outcome of the new court proceeding will be the same as its previous decision granting the Philippine government’s extradition request for Teves.

“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, including the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo,” it said.

Last June, the Court of Appeals in Timor-Leste allowed the request of the Philippine government for the extradition of Teves, who is facing murder charges over the killing of Degamo and nine other people in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, on March 4, 2023.