The return of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Philippines after two years marks a turning point in the long and painful fight for justice following the Pamplona massacre in March 2023.
But his physical presence alone is not enough. What the public demands, what justice demands, is that Teves be treated like any other accused criminal, without the insulation of power, money, or privilege.
Upon his deportation from Timor-Leste last May, Teves was placed in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where he faces multiple criminal charges and accusations.
He was linked to the assassination of his political rival, former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, in a brazen daytime attack that left nine others dead.
While the Department of Justice insists there is no VIP or special treatment, his continued detention at a relatively secure NBI compound has raised public scrutiny.
Leading those voices is Negros Oriental Congresswoman Janice Degamo, the late governor’s widow, who has called for Teves’ immediate transfer to a regular detention facility like the Manila City Jail or Camp Bagong Diwa, where other high-profile suspects are held.
For others, her fears are valid. Teves, a long-time fugitive, spent over a year dodging arrest, used a canceled passport, and even sought political asylum in a foreign country. If that does not define a flight risk, what does?
The Manila Regional Trial Court acknowledged this when it ordered his transfer to a more secure jail. However, the NBI’s hesitation to carry out this order, citing jurisdictional confusion, only deepens public mistrust.
Public skepticism heightened further with his temporary transfer to the Philippine General Hospital for an appendectomy (a surgery removing the appendix). On the other hand, legal experts and human rights groups stressed the need to uphold due process while ensuring human treatment.
But as many have emphasized, justice must not only be served. It must be seen to be served. Allowing Teves to remain in special detention while facing multiple counts of murder, frustrated murder, and terrorism risks creating the perception that in this country, influence can bend the law.
That must be shattered.
The Weekly Sillimanian calls on the Department of Justice, the NBI, and the courts to immediately resolve any legal ambiguities and enforce the court-ordered transfer. The families of the victims deserve assurance that the system will not waver under pressure.
No more excuses. No more delays. Let this be the case that proves no one, not even a former congressman, is above the law.
