Former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. did not enter a plea during his arraignment for his terrorism cases at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

According to Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, the court entered a “not guilty” plea for his client.

Under the Rules of Court, the court will enter a “not guilty” plea when the accused refuses or is unable to plead.

Aside from murder charges for the 2023 Pamplona attack that killed then-Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, Teves is also facing terrorism cases for violations of Republic Act No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

The cases came after Teves was officially designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council after the Pamplona attack.

Designation authorizes the freezing of bank accounts and penalizes giving material support to the designated individual or organization. (ABS-CBN News)