No death penalty, max prison term at 40 years
The Philippine government secured the deportation of expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. by agreeing to East Timorese authorities’ conditions that he could never be meted the capital punishment nor be imprisoned for more than 40 years if found guilty in a fair trial.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said Manila assured the Timor-Leste government that all its conditions will be honored.
In the certificate of handover signed by Philippine and Timorese officials, the Philippine government was informed that Teves cannot be sentenced to death: “Even if it were to be reinstated [in the Philippines], it could not be imposed in this case, as it cannot be applied retroactively.”
“We really don’t have that [death penalty], we don’t do that, it’s not state policy,” Remulla said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
The Timor-Leste government also asked the Philippine government to observe due process throughout the criminal proceedings.
For its part, Malacañang assured that due process was fully observed in Teves’ transfer from Timor-Leste to Philippine authorities, culminating in his turnover to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) early Friday morning.
Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Erel Cabatbat, who was part of the Philippine team that facilitated Teves’ extradition, said that all legal requirements were followed during the process.
“Authorities informed Mr. Teves of his rights and the outstanding arrest warrants issued by Philippine courts,” Cabatbat said.
“We respect the opinions of others, including those of Mr. Teves’ son, Axl. But this is simply the enforcement of our laws,” he added.
Cabatbat emphasized that the arrest warrants originated from Philippine courts and must be carried out per judicial procedures.
Meanwhile, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the turnover of Teves is a result of good relations between President Ferdinand Marcos and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta.
“They finally decided to turn over to us the person of Congressman Teves because they believe that [he] has been staying in their country… undocumented. They also considered the cases filed against him,” he told reporters.
Santiago also stressed that the Philippine government fully adhered to the conditions provided in the Certificate of Handover.
Aside from agreeing to no death penalty and no irreducible life imprisonment, other key guarantees in the certificate include no coerced evidence, absolute prohibition from inhuman treatment, fair and public trial, and non-political prosecution, among others.
On Friday afternoon, Teves was transferred to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City under the custody of the NBI.
He was accompanied by his mother and his legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio.
Santiago explained that the bureau no longer has a detention facility within its premises since transferring from its office in Manila to Pasay.
“Building 14 is distinct and separate from BuCor [Bureau of Corrections] where convicted individuals are imprisoned… It is the detention facility of the NBI under our control,” he said.
Meanwhile, Teves expressed confidence in the NBI, noting he feels ‘safer’ under its watch.
“I would like to thank Director [Santiago] and all the staff of the NBI because they have treated me well since I was arrested until now,” he said.
The former lawmaker also underscored that he is ready to face the multiple murder charges that was filed against him as well as the family of slain Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
