The Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday that it hoped to receive the decision of the Timor-Leste court on its request for the immediate extradition of former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. “within the next few weeks.”

In a televised briefing, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said the Ministry of Justice of Timor-Leste has endorsed DOJ’s extradition request to their Court of Appeals.

“Preparations are on the way for the return of former Congressman Teves to the Philippines. Hinihintay pa rin po natin ang desisyon ng Court of Appeals doon po sa Timor-Leste dahil ipinasa ang Ministry of Justice ang ating request sa Court of Appeals,” Clavano said.

“So kailangan na lang po natin maghintay at maging patient sa desisyon ng Court of Appeals dahil hindi naman natin teritoryo iyan, so we will just have to abide and comply with the direction and decision of the Court of Appeals.”

“Ang timeline po natin diyan ay within the next few weeks. We hope to receive already a decision from the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste,” he continued.

The former congressman is facing multiple counts of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder over the death of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.

Acting on an International Police red notice, Teves was arrested in March by the Timorese police and is in pre-trial detention at the Becora Prison.

The DOJ’s request for immediate extradition came after reports that Teves allegedly offered a bribe to a member of the Criminal Investigation Police amounting to $2,000 or over P114,000 in exchange for “security” inside and outside the Becora Prison.

Clavano said the Philippine government has to respect all processes of the Timor-Leste government.

“Binanggit natin, in-attach lahat ng resolution, ng decision na relevant dito sa kaso na ito para ma-prove natin na ‘yung mga basehan ng Interpol red notice ay totoo,” Clavano said. (ABS-CBN News)