Manila Regional Trial Court Grants Bail to Former Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Strategic Insights -

The Manila Regional Trial Court has allowed former Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to post P120,000 bail for his temporary liberty, despite being charged with the murder of Lester Bato in 2019. The court's decision was based on the prosecution's failure to present strong evidence of guilt, particularly the lack of personal knowledge from key witnesses. Teves is one of several individuals, including Hannah Mae Sumerano, Richard Cuadra, Jasper Tanasan, Alex Mayagma, and Rolando Pinili, charged with the fatal shooting of Bato, a bodyguard for Basay mayoral candidate Cliff Cordova, on May 26, 2019. The prosecution presented several witnesses, including PCpl. Emerson C. Avendano, PSSg Jeck Ryan Olarte, Atty. Ferdinand Benitez, and Gemuel A. Hobro, but the court found their testimonies lacking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Manila Regional Trial Court granted bail to former Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. despite being charged with the murder of Lester Bato, citing the prosecution's failure to present strong evidence of guilt.
  • The court found that two key prosecution witnesses, PCpl. Emerson C. Avendano and PSSg Jeck Ryan Olarte, lacked personal knowledge of the crime's commission.
  • The court relied on the testimony of Gemuel A. Hobro, who claimed to be the driver of the motorcycle used in the killing and provided an extra-judicial confession implicating Teves Jr. and others.
  • However, the court noted inconsistencies in Hobro's testimony and the lack of specific details regarding the alleged killing of Bato.
  • The court also found that Hobro did not mention any "price, reward, or promise" in exchange for the killing of Bato.
  • The information filed against Teves Jr. includes the qualifying circumstances of treachery, evident premeditation, and payment of a price or reward of Php150,000.00.
  • Teves will remain in detention as he is facing a separate murder case for the death of Gov. Roel Degamo and 10 others.
  • Teves was brought back to the Philippines last May 29 after his arrest in Timor-Leste, where he had been seeking asylum for nearly two years.

Statistics:

  • P120,000 bail posted by Teves Jr. for his temporary liberty.
  • Php150,000.00, the alleged price or reward offered for the killing of Bato.
  • 1 month and 3 days, the duration of Teves' detention from May 29 to July 31.

Sources:

  • "Manila Regional Trial Court Grants Bail to Former Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. Despite Murder Charge" (No specific date mentioned in the original text).
  • The Manila Regional Trial Court's order, issued by Presiding Judge Renato Z. Enciso.