MANILA — The acquittal of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in a 2019 multiple murder case in Dumaguete City will not affect the ongoing prosecution of the assassination of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez made the clarification after a Manila court cleared Teves and two co-accused, stressing that the two cases are separate and will be independently decided by the courts.
“‘Yung kasi regarding si Degamo is separate from this case so it does not in any way affect the Degamo case ‘yung acquittal,” Martinez said during a forum in Quezon City.
The statement followed a ruling by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 15, which acquitted Teves, Richard Cuadra, and Rolando Pinili in connection with the 2019 killing of three individuals in Dumaguete City. In a 35-page decision dated January 5, 2026, the court granted the accused’s demurrer to evidence, citing the prosecution’s failure to establish a prima facie case.
The charges stemmed from cases filed by the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
Despite the acquittal, Teves remains in detention as he faces multiple criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder, arising from the March 4, 2023 attack at Degamo’s residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. The attack killed the governor and several others.
Investigators have publicly identified Teves as the alleged mastermind in the Degamo assassination.
Negros Oriental Representative Janice Degamo, the widow of the slain governor, earlier said the family remains resolute in pursuing justice, regardless of the outcome of Teves’ other cases.
Martinez reiterated that Teves’ detention status remains unchanged due to the number and seriousness of the charges still pending against him.
Records from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) show that as of June 2025, Teves is also facing a murder case before the Bayawan Regional Trial Court Branch 63, charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12, and violations of the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act before Quezon City RTC Branch 77./PN
