(UPDATE) EXPELLED Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. has been acquitted of murder charges in connection with the 2019 killing of a provincial official in Dumaguete City, following a ruling by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 in Manila.
In an order issued on Jan. 5, 2026, but made public only on Friday, the court granted the “Demurrer to Evidence” filed by Teves and co-accused Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili, citing insufficient evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The case charged the trio and three others — Hannah Mae Sumerano, Jasper Tanasan, and Alex Mayagma — with murder in the March 25, 2019 killing of a provincial official.
The court noted that the prosecution failed to sufficiently prove an alleged conspiracy among the accused or directly link them to the crime. A demurrer to evidence is a legal motion seeking dismissal of a case after the prosecution presents its evidence, arguing that it is inadequate to secure a conviction.
Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, claimed the case was part of a broader campaign of political harassment against his client.
“The acquittal of former congressman Arnolfo Teves of the crime of murder by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 15 of Manila is a vivid demonstration that the cases filed against Mr. Teves are nothing but harassment suits meant to persecute a political opponent,” Topacio said.
Topacio also accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of targeting government critics.
“It shows how the Department of Justice has been weaponized for the purpose of vexing the critics of government. We are fortunate, however, to have found a fair and impartial tribunal that has proven itself truly independent and impervious to political pressures,” he said.
Topacio vowed to continue defending Teves in other pending cases. “There are many more battles left to fight for truth and justice. In this, we shall never waver until the last of these groundless suits are dismissed. For indeed, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine,” Topacio said.
The DOJ has yet to issue a statement on whether it will appeal the ruling.
Teves still faces other criminal charges in separate courts, including the March 4, 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated him a terrorist.