It’s only a matter of time before expelled Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. will return to the Philippines from Timor-Leste, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.

Remulla bared the development to reporters in a chance interview at the Deparment of Justice (DOJ) main office yesterday.

“Teves is coming home very soon. Malapit na. Andun lang ang Papa ngayon sa Timor-Leste. Expectation natin within the month uuwi na si Teves,” he said.

The DOJ chief believes the extradition process will begin following the visit of Pope Francis in the Southeast Asian nation from September 9 to 11.

Remulla said they will not be using a private plane to transport Teves back to the Philippines from Timor-Leste.

“Saka ‘yung Air Force airplane ang aming kinuha na may agreement na kami sa Air Force. Para ‘yung eroplanong sasakyan manggagaling sa ating Air Force,” he said.

Last year, Teves fled the country amid allegations he was the mastermind behind the murder of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023.

Authorities earlier said Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals denied the appeal of Teves for them to reconsider his extradition.

The expelled lawmaker’s lawyer described this as “fake news.”

Meantime, the DOJ secretary was also asked for an update on former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag.

In an interview with ANC yesterday, Remulla said they have received feelers on Bantag’s supposed desire to surrender.

He said they know where Bantag is but he is being protected by former classmates and some politicians.

“Susunod na ‘yun, huwag kayo mag-alala,” Remulla said. (ABS-CBN News)