THE camp of suspended Negros Oriental First District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. filed a motion on Thursday, June 22, 2023, seeking the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors' inhibition from preliminary proceedings related to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
In a 14-page motion, Teves’ legal counsels said that due to the statements issued by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, tagging the lawmaker as the mastermind of the killing, there is no longer an assurance of impartiality in the probe.
“Unfortunately, in this case, no prosecutor under the Department of Justice can confidently and honestly say that they can resolve this preliminary investigation with fairness, impartiality, independence and integrity as demanded by law and jurisprudence,” the motion reads.
“This is primarily because their boss, the Secretary of Justice... has been firm in claiming that Teves Jr. is the mastermind in the death of Gov. Degamo, even prior to the filing of this case,” it added.
They also noted Remulla’s “displayed sympathy and affection” to the governor’s kin, especially his widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice.
The preliminary investigation should instead be handled by the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure that Teves has an impartial tribunal to determine the existence of probable cause and to assure that his constitutional right to due process is properly observed.
Attorney Ferdinand Topacio, one of Teves' lawyers, said that by then, his client may return to the country and face the accusations against him.
Degamo was gunned down in March, which also resulted in the death of nine innocent civilians.
Murder complaints have been filed against Teves as well as 11 suspects who allegedly participated in the killing.
he suspects initially admitted their involvement in the crime, tagging Teves as the mastermind, but later recanted their claims, stating that they were forced to make such an affidavit.
Teves is currently out of the country and has refused to come back due to alleged threats against his life and the lives of his family members. (SunStar Philippines)