DOJ confident Teves extradition will hold

The Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains that former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.'s legal team's move to contest his extradition from Timor-Leste on procedural grounds will not succeed.

Teves is accused of masterminding the killing of former governor Roel Degamo and nine other individuals, with the DOJ confident that new proceedings in Timor-Leste's Court of Appeals involving three judges will result in the same decision for extradition.

Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano stated that these objections are an 'afterthought' as they were raised only after unfavorable outcomes had concluded, emphasizing that Teves was fully engaged and afforded due process throughout the proceedings.

The Timor-Leste Court of Appeal's recent decision to grant the extradition request is based on merit, according to the DOJ, which expects the outcome of new proceedings to be consistent with previous decisions.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reassured that the Philippine government remains committed to bringing Teves back to face multiple murder charges in Manila, given the strong evidence against him in connection with crimes including the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.