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Advocates Philippines
Court Grants Bail To Teves, Co-Accused In 2019 Murder Case
Photo credit: NBI
A Manila Regional Trial Court has granted bail to former lawmaker Arnolfo Alipit Teves Jr. and his co-accused in connection with a 2019 murder case involving the killing of Pacito Libron in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
In a resolution issued by Branch 30 on April 15, 2026, the court allowed Teves, Richard Cuadra, and Rolando Pinili to post bail after finding that the prosecution failed to present strong evidence of conspiracy at this stage of the proceedings.
The court set bail at ₱500,000 for Teves and ₱250,000 each for Cuadra and Pinili.
The case stemmed from a June 23, 2019 incident where Libron was allegedly killed, with prosecutors charging multiple individuals for murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.
In its ruling, the court stressed that conspiracy requires proof of a clear agreement and participation in the crime, noting that mere knowledge, presence, or association is not sufficient. It also found that the prosecution’s evidence, including testimony from key witnesses, was not enough to establish a strong case of conspiracy against all accused at the bail stage.
The court further noted that the accused must be assessed individually based on their participation, rather than being automatically linked together.
Teves, a former congressman, was also noted in the ruling to have previously left the country and sought asylum abroad, a factor considered in setting a higher bail amount.
Despite the ruling, all accused remain subject to ongoing trial proceedings, with the presentation of evidence set to continue on June 23, 2026.
In a resolution issued by Branch 30 on April 15, 2026, the court allowed Teves, Richard Cuadra, and Rolando Pinili to post bail after finding that the prosecution failed to present strong evidence of conspiracy at this stage of the proceedings.
The court set bail at ₱500,000 for Teves and ₱250,000 each for Cuadra and Pinili.
The case stemmed from a June 23, 2019 incident where Libron was allegedly killed, with prosecutors charging multiple individuals for murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.
In its ruling, the court stressed that conspiracy requires proof of a clear agreement and participation in the crime, noting that mere knowledge, presence, or association is not sufficient. It also found that the prosecution’s evidence, including testimony from key witnesses, was not enough to establish a strong case of conspiracy against all accused at the bail stage.
The court further noted that the accused must be assessed individually based on their participation, rather than being automatically linked together.
Teves, a former congressman, was also noted in the ruling to have previously left the country and sought asylum abroad, a factor considered in setting a higher bail amount.
Despite the ruling, all accused remain subject to ongoing trial proceedings, with the presentation of evidence set to continue on June 23, 2026.
Apr 17, 2026
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