Suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. has filed a consolidated motion which seeks to dismiss the illegal possession of firearms and explosives complaint filed against him and his sons, their legal counsel said on Friday, May 5.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ legal counsel, said they question the legality of the raid conducted on the lawmaker’s properties in March.

Topacio said Teves does not own the firearms allegedly retrieved from his houses.

Atty. Edward Santiago of the Teves’ camp believes the complainants’ evidence will be impermissible under the “doctrine of the fruit of the poisonous tree.”

He added that another complaint of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Teves was dismissed.

They are confident the recent charge will also be dismissed.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the complaint filed against Teves was enough basis to do so.

Earlier, the Department of Justice sought to designate Teves as a terrorist, forcing him to surrender to authorities.

Teves has yet to return to the Philippines amid safety concerns. He said he would come home “when it is safe enough.”

“We are still assessing the situation, and see whether we can get a fair trial,” Topacio said.

He also questioned the claims that Teves appeared to be the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others on March 4.

“As a defense lawyer, kung wala kang ebidensya, talagang hindi ka makaka-file kasi baka mapahiya ka lang pagdating sa korte,” Topacio said.

“[For] two months after na-tag na si Congressman Teves as the mastermind, as the brains behind the assassination, they are still scrambling for evidence. Wala pa rin. Otherwise, they would have filed it,” he added.

“He is comforted [na] wala siyang kinalaman dito sa pagpatay dito kay Governor Degamo,” he said./ With a report from GMA News/ WDJ