Outgoing 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, according to a GMA News Online report.

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

“Nakikita namin there is a need for a marathon hearing to happen,” Janice told GTV’s Balitanghali in an interview on Friday, May 30, 2025. 

“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,” she added.

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, Metro Manila.

“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.

"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.

Teves was arrested on May 28, 2025, 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.

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 (Bayawan City, Negros Oriental), 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.