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Advocates Philippines
Arnie Teves Granted Bail In One Case, Still Faces Two Others
Photo credit: NBI
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 has granted former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. temporary liberty in one of the murder cases he is facing.
In an order dated August 20, 2025, Judge Renato Z. Enciso approved Teves’ petition for bail, setting the amount at ₱120,000. The case involves the killing of Lester Bato, but the court ruled that qualifying circumstances such as “price, reward or promise” were not sufficiently established at this stage.
Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, welcomed the ruling but clarified that his client remains in detention because of two other pending cases.
Authorities have previously tagged Teves as the alleged mastermind behind the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, a separate case still moving through the courts.
In an order dated August 20, 2025, Judge Renato Z. Enciso approved Teves’ petition for bail, setting the amount at ₱120,000. The case involves the killing of Lester Bato, but the court ruled that qualifying circumstances such as “price, reward or promise” were not sufficiently established at this stage.
Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, welcomed the ruling but clarified that his client remains in detention because of two other pending cases.
Authorities have previously tagged Teves as the alleged mastermind behind the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, a separate case still moving through the courts.
Sep 12, 2025
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