The pre-trial for the multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder charges linked to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others began at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 yesterday.

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. attended the hearing via video teleconferencing.

One of his lawyers, Andres Manuel, appeared in court but declined to give details.

Degamo’s camp was represented by lawyer Andrei Bon Tagum.

“After the pre-trial, nag-agree ‘yung mga parties na mga susunod na mga hearings, including the bail hearing for the petition for bail,” Tagum said.

Judge Merianthe Pacita Zuraek presided over the proceedings.

The next hearing was set for September 5.

Degamo had been distributing aid at his home in Pamplona when six people carrying rifles and dressed in military fatigues entered the compound and opened fire on March 4, 2023.

The killings came months after Degamo was declared winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker’s brother.

Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges.

He was detained at a driving range in Timor-Leste’s capital Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition.

In an abrupt turnaround, Timor-Leste deported Teves in May, saying his continued presence represented a security risk. (ABS-CBN News / Agence France-Presse)