Arnie Teves granted bail in one murder case but remains detained

Metro Manila, Philippines - A Manila court has granted former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. bail in one of his murder cases, but his lawyer said he will remain in detention pending two other cases.

In a 29-page order dated Sept. 10, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 set bail at ₱120,000 for Teves’ temporary liberty over the 2019 killing of Lester Bato, a bodyguard of a mayoralty candidate in Basay town.

Teves counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, said the ruling showed the weakness of the charges, which he described as politically motivated.

“We still have pending bail petitions in two other cases,” Topacio told reporters.

Teves also faces murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder charges in connection with the March 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others, as well as two other killings in 2019.

The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated Teves and several associates as terrorists, citing multiple alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.