The Timor-Leste Court of Appeals (CA)’s denial of the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the camp of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. seeking to bar his extradition is not true, according to his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio.
Teves is facing murder charges before Philippine courts in connection with the killing of then Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last year.
“The press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) saying that the court in Timor-Leste has decided the motion for reconsideration of Rep. Arnolfo Teves in the case for extradition against him is totally untrue,” Topacio told Manila Standard on Thursday night.
The remarks of Topacio came after the DOJ announced on Wednesday night that the DOJ received an official update from the Prosecutor General of Timor-Leste.
Topacio said upon knowing of the said press release, he immediately contacted his counterparts in Timor-Leste for verification.
He explained they made several trips to the concerned court, only to be told by a court personnel that there was, indeed, no such decision yet.
Topacio questioned the reliability of DOJ-issued information to the media such as the previous claim that warlords in Asia are protecting the expelled lawmaker.
“I urge members of media to proceed with caution when dealing with the DOJ as this is the same DOJ that once said that Mr. Teves was returning to Manila via the Manila International Airport last year… that Mr. Teves would be expedited by the end of last month; all of which were proven false,” he stressed.
Topacio also appealed to the DOJ not to issue misleading information as it is ‘blasphemy to a country that is a friend of the Philippines.’
Manila Standard has sought comment from the DOJ, but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Teves camp: DOJ’s claim on denial of appeal is ‘fake news’”
