Arnie Teves, Degamo camp hoping for 'speedy trial'

Pamplona Mayor and Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative-elect Janice Degamo said she wants marathon hearings for a faster trial of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnie Teves. 

Teves is accused of being the mastermind behind the killing of Degamo's husband, former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

“Nakikita namin there is a need for a marathon hearing to happen (We see there is a need for a marathon hearing to happen),” Janice told GTV’s Balitanghali in an interview on Friday.

“Nako-compare ko rin yung ibang kaso pong murder katulad ng nangyari sa Ampatuan case. It took them 10 years para po mailabas ang decision ng court, and that will be a very long wait. Kaya tinitignan namin yung angles na kung saan puwede mapabilis po yung paglilitis,” he added.

(We are also comparing it to other murder cases like the Ampatuan case. It took them 10 years to issue the court’s decision, and that will be a very long wait. So we are looking at angles where the trial can be expedited.)

Janice said that their lawyers will make the request for marathon hearings.

'Speedy trial'

Teves, for his part, said he is also hoping for a speedy trial, as he was presented before the media before he was transferred to a detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“Ito lang sana ‘yung request ko sa Korte. Sana mabilis ‘yung kaso. Sa totoo lang kung ta-trabahuhin talaga ‘yung kaso, sandali lang,” said Teves at the press briefing of the NBI.

(This is my only request to the Court. I hope the case proceeds quickly. Honestly, if the case is really worked on, it won’t take long.)

At least ma-ano na din, matapos na rin. Kahit nung nandoon ako [sa Timor-Leste], iniisip ko kung hindi man ako umuwi. Haharapin— kailangan din ito matapos eh,” he said.

(At least it will finally be over. Even when I was in Timor-Leste, I was already thinking that even if I didn’t return, this still had to be faced and resolved.)

Teves was arrested on Wednesday in Timor-Leste where he sought asylum.

Asked why he stayed in Timor-Leste if he knew that he needed to face the charges against him, Teves reiterated that he was concerned for his life.

He also said that he will have “no problem” should he face Degamo’s widow.

Janice previously said that she had been advised to return to the witness stand during the trial.

“Nakapagsimula na po kami ng hearing po with the gunmen. In fact, I am done with my part as a witness. I have spoken already doon sa witness stand and was advised na babalik talaga ako kapag nakarating na si Arnie,” she said.

(We have started the hearing with the gunmen. In fact, I am done with my part as a witness. I have already spoken on the witness stand and was advised that I will have to return when Arnie arrives.)

According to the NBI, Teves is facing the following charges: 

• 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, four counts of attempted murder before the Manila regional trial court (RTC) Branch 51
• Murder case before the Manila RTC Branch 12
• Murder case before the Manila RTC Branch 15 
• Murder case before the Bayawan RTC Branch 63
• Illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives at the Manila RTC Branch 12
• Terrorist Financing, prevention, and suppression act before the Quezon City RTC Branch 77

Teves has denied the accusations.

Meanwhile, Santiago said that the NBI will return Teves’ arrest warrant to the respective court as well as the certificate of detention.

Following this, he said that the court may issue a commitment order regarding where Teves will be detained.

The court will also set Teves’ arraignment schedule for his cases.

Conditions

The NBI also presented the certificate of handover given by the Timor-Leste government, which contains the guarantees promised by the Philippines for the turnover. 

These included no irreducible life imprisonment, sentence limitation, no death penalty, absolute prohibition, detention and monitoring, no coerced evidence, fair and public trial, and non-political prosecution.

Santiago explained that under Philippine laws, a sentence cannot exceed 40 years and that there is no death penalty in the country.

Meanwhile, he assured that Teves was accorded his rights.

“We have accorded him all the human rights na dapat ibigay sa arrested person. Pati ‘yung pagdalaw ni Atty. Topacio kagabi, pagdalaw ng nanay,” Santiago said.

This was echoed by Teves through Topacio. He extended his gratitude to the NBI and Santiago.

“I affirm his statement kanina that all basic human rights as guaranteed in the Constitution, all the rights of the accused, and all norms of decency were observed by Director Santiago and his staff,” he said.

“Napakabait po, napaka disente, at napaka matulungin po ng staff ng NBI (the NBI staff are very kind, very decent, and very helpful),” he added.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News