Arnie Teves acquittal in Dumaguete slay no effect on Degamo case —DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday said that a Manila court’s decision acquitting former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. in one of his murder cases, particularly the killing of three individuals in Dumaguete City in 2019, has no effect on the ongoing murder case in the killing of late Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

At a news forum in Quezon City, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said, “‘Yung kasi regarding si Degamo is separate from this case so it does not in any way affect the Degamo case ‘yung acquittal kahapon.”

Martinez was referring to the Manila Regional Trial Court-Brach 15’s 35-page decision dated January 5, 2026, acquitting Teves, Richard Cuadra, and Rolando Pinili of the crime charged against them “for failure of the prosecution to establish a prima facie case.” 

The demurrers to evidence—wherein the accused assert the insufficiency of evidence—filed by Teves and two others were granted. 

The case stemmed from three murder cases filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) in relation to the killing of three individuals in 2019.

Aside from this case, Teves is also facing murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder over the killing of late governor Degamo and others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

Degamo’s wife, Negros Oriental Representative Janice Degamo said that the pursuit for accountability and justice for her late husband will continue even after Teves was acquitted by a Manila court in his 2019 murder case. 

Teves has been tagged as the main mastermind in the killing of late governor Degamo in 2023.

Martinez said the former lawmaker remains in detention despite his recent acquittal as he is still facing several other cases.

In June 2025, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Teves is also facing the following charges:

• 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 is currently detained at the NBI facility in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. —VAL, GMA Integrated News