Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the lawyer of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., on Saturday said his client has made certain requests to ensure his safe return to the country, after being linked to Gov. Roel Degamo slay case.
“I had two interactions with [House] Speaker [Martin] Romualdez, of course the details I cannot divulge because of our gentleman’s agreement. But si congressman made certain requests for his return in order to ensure his safety,” Topacio said at a media forum.
“Ang hiniling lang po niya ay ‘yung requests niya para sa kaniyang kaligtasan. Hindi po for any special treatment, wala pong bargaining dito. Just for his safety,” Topacio added.
(He appeals that his requests be granted for his safety. This is niether for any special treatment nor a bargaining expedition. Just for his safety.)
Topacio thanked Romualdez for granting some of Teves’ requests.
“Hindi naman niya kami binola. Sinabi niya ‘Itong mga request na ito, pwede nating gawin. Itong mga request na ito ay hindi natin pwedeng gawin,’” he said.
(He did not mislead us. He said ‘We can do these requests. We cannot do these requests.’)
Because of this, Topacio said Teves could not yet return to the country.
Responding to comments made by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that the Degamo slay case is 99% solved, Topacio said the comment is premature.
“With all due respect to our good friend Secretary Remulla who said it was ‘99% solved.’ It is never 99%, 100%, 70%, 50% solved at this stage, masyadong maaga (it is too early),” he said.
“Until and unless there is a preliminary investigation, a case is brought to court, there is a trial and the accused is convicted by final judgement, hindi solved ‘yan (it is not solved),” Topacio added. “These statements do not help.”
Topacio had said that certain indications led him to believe that proceedings in the preliminary investigation into the Degamo slay case could turn into a kangaroo court event. —LBG, GMA Integrated News
