The camp of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves is already expecting to face possible cases against him over the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
“Notwithstanding the protestations and the artifices of our officials that they are trying to be impartial by using the words ‘he may be involved,’ ‘it is possible,’ I think it is leading to that,” Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ counsel, told CNN Philippines.
“That is where this is leading,” added Topacio. The lawyer said that they are ready to face the cases.
He also urged Justice Secretary Boying Remulla to present evidence rather than ‘demonize’ Teves in public.
“Stop the juridical striptease. They’re peeling off one partial piece of clothing at a time… i-file niyo na. Criminal organization pala, illegal gambling pala, private army pala, file the case,” he said.
“So in the meantime, well, di ba, STFU until you file it because you know you’re prejudicing the minds of your prosecutors, you’re prejudicing the mind of your people, you’re indulging in trial by publicity,” Topacio added.
Topacio said that he would no longer be surprised if his client was implicated in the killing of Degamo.
“The minute that I learned that Governor Roel Degamo was assassinated, I immediately called my client and said, ‘Pare, sigurado ako idadawit ka dito. I can feel it in my bones because I’ve been there before’,” he said.
“Sabi niya, ‘Papaano nila ako idadawit? Ano kinalaman ko diyan.’ Sabi ko, ‘Well, I hope so. I hope I’m proven wrong’,” Topacio added.
Topacio said that Remulla’s statements could affect how prosecutors will look into the case.
“What is alarming here is that the Secretary of Justice himself is making obliquities and innuendos as to the guilt of my client. To me that is highly improper because the case… relating to the killing of Governor Degamo has yet to reach preliminary investigation stage,” he said.
