Teves camp claims DOJ 'trying to bribe' alleged co-mastermind in Degamo slay

The camp of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. claims to have received a report that the Justice Department is trying to bribe the alleged co-mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves' lawyer, said they received a report that a huge sum was offered to Marvin Miranda who has yet to submit a sworn affidavit, according to a report on "Unang Balita" on Thursday.

Miranda has been described by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the person who orchestrated the killing while Teves is its "executive producer" who financed the assassination.

For their part, Justice spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said Teves’ claim “is not worth commenting on."

A total of 10 suspects, including a person who tagged a "Cong Teves" as the mastermind behind the assassination of Degamo, have recanted their testimonies and now claim not to know anything about the killing.  

Previously, Remulla claimed that the suspects who recanted were offered P8 million to take back their testimony. Remulla also accused Miranda of "directing" their recantation. 

Miranda's lawyer, however, denied this claim. 

Degamo and nine others were killed on March 4 as the governor was distributing aid to his constituents inside his home. —with Joahna Lei Casilao/VAL/KBK, GMA Integrated News