A Manila court has granted bail to former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. in connection with the 2019 murder of alleged hitman Pacito Libron in Bayawan City, though the embattled former lawmaker will remain in detention due to other pending cases.
Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 30 set Teves' bail at ₱500,000 in a 27-page resolution issued this week, while bail for his co-accused was pegged at ₱250,000 each.
Despite the favorable ruling, Teves will not be released from custody, according to his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio, who confirmed to reporters that "there is one more pending case" against his client.
Higher Bail Amount Due to Flight Risk
The court imposed a significantly higher bail amount on Teves compared to his co-accused, citing his former position as congressman and his previous flight from the Philippines.
"The Court also does not ignore the fact that a few years ago, accused Teves fled the country and tried to seek asylum in East Timor. Thus, the Court finds that a higher amount should be fixed as to accused Teves in order to balance the scales of justice," the ruling stated.
The decision reflects judicial concerns about Teves' potential to evade trial proceedings, given his history of leaving the country while facing criminal charges.
Prosecution Fails to Establish Strong Conspiracy Evidence
The case centers on the June 2019 killing of Pacito Libron in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. Libron was allegedly a hitman whose death prosecutors linked to Teves through witness testimony claiming the former congressman ordered the killing.
However, the Manila RTC found the prosecution's evidence insufficient to prove conspiracy among all the accused parties.
"With regard to the allegation of conspiracy, the Court finds that the prosecution failed to establish that the evidence of conspiracy was strong amongst all the accused in allegedly killing herein victim Pacito Libron," the court stated in its resolution.
This finding represents a significant setback for prosecutors who had sought to demonstrate a coordinated effort involving multiple defendants in Libron's murder.
Current Detention at NBI Facility
Teves remains detained at the National Bureau of Investigation facility inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, where he has been held since his return to the Philippines.
The former congressman was brought back to the country in May 2025 following his arrest in Dili, Timor-Leste, where he had been seeking asylum for nearly two years after fleeing the Philippines in February 2023.
His prolonged stay abroad while facing multiple criminal charges in the Philippines had drawn significant attention from law enforcement agencies and legal observers.
Multiple Murder Cases and Legal Battles
Beyond the Libron case, Teves faces far more serious charges related to the March 4, 2023 Pamplona massacre that killed Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, while wounding several more individuals.
He is facing multiple counts of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder in connection with the high-profile assassination that shocked the province and drew national attention to political violence in Negros Oriental.
The Pamplona massacre case is considered the most significant among the various criminal charges against Teves, given the prominence of the victims and the scale of the violence involved.
Previous Legal Victories and Ongoing Challenges
The bail grant in the Libron case represents one of several legal developments in Teves' favor in recent months. In January 2026, a separate Manila RTC branch acquitted him in the 2019 killing of former provincial board member Miguel Dungog after granting a demurrer to evidence.
Teves also previously secured bail in the murder case of Lester Bato, another 2019 victim, indicating some success in his legal team's defense strategy across multiple cases.
However, these victories have been overshadowed by the more serious charges he faces, particularly those related to the Pamplona massacre.
Department of Justice Opposition
The Department of Justice has maintained its strong opposition to Teves' bail petitions across various cases, consistently arguing that his release would pose significant risks to public safety.
Justice department officials have cited what they describe as the "grave and imminent danger" his release would pose to the public, reflecting ongoing concerns about potential witness intimidation or further violence.
This stance suggests that prosecutors will continue to vigorously oppose any future bail applications from Teves, particularly in the more serious cases pending against him.
Political and Legal Implications
Teves' case has broader implications for political violence in Negros Oriental and the Philippines more generally. His designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, along with the multiple criminal cases, represents one of the most high-profile examples of accountability efforts targeting alleged political violence.
The former congressman's legal battles continue to attract national attention, particularly given his previous role as an elected official and the serious nature of the charges against him.
Legal observers note that the various court decisions in his cases will likely influence how similar political violence cases are prosecuted and defended in the future.
As the legal proceedings continue, Teves remains a central figure in ongoing efforts to address political violence and ensure accountability for serious crimes in the Philippines.
Photo credit: File photo