Expelled Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. can still appeal his passport cancellation, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said yesterday.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said that Teves’ passport is “deemed canceled” because Teves has “no personality to even appear in court and ask for reconsideration, that’s why we consider it final and executory.”

Teves is facing multiple murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges in relation to the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others.

Topacio said he took exception to Remulla’s pronouncement.

“Unless the rules have been amended, we will pursue all legal avenues open to our client in order to protect his interests with respect to the issue of his passport cancellation,” he said.

Topacio also said Teves — who is believed to be still in Timor-Leste — is not returning to the Philippines soon because the supposed “threats to his life still persist.”

Degamo’s widow hopes Teves will be brought back to PH

Meanwhile, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo expressed hope former Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. will finally face the charges against him after his passport was ordered canceled by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51.

“Naiyak kami doon, the cancelation of the passport goes to show na talagang his world has gone really small, mailapit siya makauwi siya at makabalik siya,” Degamo said.

Degamo and the other families of victims killed in the March 4, 2023 attack supposed to be masterminded by Teves were at the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday afternoon.

Degamo said their meeting at the DOJ was held to clarify disinformation about apparent delays in the multiple murder cases against Teves.

Almost a year after the killings, Degamo expressed security concerns even though Teves is believed to be in Timor-Leste.

“Arnie is still out nandun pa rin ang mga tao nila pero hindi pa rin sila makagalaw because they know the eyes of the government [are] on them,” Teves said. (ABS-CBN News)