RTCB12 holds pre-trial for ex-Rep Teves' murder, firearms cases

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 held a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday for three criminal cases against former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., involving two counts of murder and one count of illegal possession of firearms.

Teves' lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said that his client filed a petition for bail with the court on July 14, ahead of an uneventful hearing where they set a date for the bail petition to start on August 4.

Topacio stated that they requested the return of witnesses so their side could cross-examine them during the bail hearing proceedings.

The court has extended hearings for the main cases until 2026, with the next scheduled for August 4.

Teves returned from Timor-Leste two years after a slaying linked to him and is currently in custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).