JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla dismissed the claim made by the camp of Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. that they had not received a subpoena to appear at Tuesday’s preliminary investigation into the high-profile murder case of provincial governor Roel Degamo.

Teves’ camp justified their absence from the preliminary investigation by likening it to a party where one should only attend if invited.

But Remulla stated on Wednesday, “The lawyers did not enter an appearance, so how can you invite them? They have no entry of appearance. They should enter an appearance, and then they will be invited, because what they are doing is they are weighing their options.”

Notably, Teves’ legal representative was absent during the preliminary investigation into Degamo’s murder, while Teves himself, who is currently under suspension by the House of Representatives, remains abroad and has not yet returned.

“However, according to the panel of prosecutors’ account, they sent a subpoena to the last known address, the registered address in Negros, and also to Cong. Teves’ office in Congress. Despite this, they did not appear,” explained Atty. Levi Baligod, counsel for Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo.

Nevertheless, Baligod highlighted that representatives from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) were present during Tuesday’s proceedings, acting as counsel for the ten suspects currently in government custody.

The lawyers who assisted in their recantation were absent, as they are considered part of the preliminary investigation and were also issued subpoenas.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas