The extradition case of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. will undergo new proceedings at the Court of Appeals in Timor-Leste, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
This development is expected to further delay the extradition of Teves, who has been implicated as the mastermind behind the murder of former Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
The DOJ stated that the new trial resulted from procedural objections raised by Teves’ lawyers in Timor-Leste.
These objections were reportedly submitted late in the process, after the initial proceedings had not favored the former congressman.
The DOJ noted that under Philippine law, this kind of tactic is prohibited by the principle of estoppel, which prevents a party from challenging procedural issues after having actively participated in the process without raising objections earlier.
Despite the delay, the DOJ remains confident that the outcome of the new trial will be similar to the previous decision of the Court of Appeals, and that Teves will ultimately face the multiple murder charges filed against him in the Philippines.
Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the same evidence will be presented during the new proceedings, this time before a panel of three judges.