THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday bewailed a threat by the camp of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to file administrative and criminal charges against the DOJ prosecutors who issued a resolution recommending the filing of murder charges in court against the expelled lawmaker.
“Threatening prosecutors and whining before the media” are not the proper remedies for persons who feel aggrieved in the filing of criminal cases against them before the courts based on resolutions issued by the prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said.
Fadullon was reacting to a statement issued by Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio that his client was considering the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the DOJ prosecutors who issued the resolution on the filing of murder charges in court against the former legislator.
Teves and several other suspects have been charged before the Manila regional trial court (RTC) for the killings of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo and nine other persons last March 4, and for serious injuries sustained by 18 other persons.
The respondents were charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder. Murder is a non-bailable offense.
The Manila RTC had issued an arrest order against Teves who has not returned to the country despite the expiration of his travel authority last March 9 when he was still a member of Congress. He was suspended twice and later delisted as a member of the House of Representatives.
“If the accused feels aggrieved by the resolution there are legal remedies that are available to them,” Fadullon said.
“Instead of diverting attention to the panel, we should not lose track of what really happened on March 4, 2023,” he said, pointing out that “10 people were mercilessly killed and around 18 were seriously injured because of the brazen attack.”
“Besides, any lawyer worth his oath should be aware that recantations go into the credibility of the witness and therefore, it is best addressed and appreciated by the trial court in the course of a full blown trial,” he stressed.
Fadullon debunked Topacio’s claim that the panel of prosecutors was influenced in determining that Teves should be indicted.
“It is irresponsible to make a sweeping statement that the Department of Justice is being used as an instrument for prosecuting people at the behest of certain interested persons,” he lamented.