Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and two co-accused have been acquitted of murder charges linked to a 2019 murder case, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 announced Friday.
In an order dated January 5, 2026, released on Friday, Presiding Judge Eduardo Ramon Reyes granted the “demurrers to evidence” filed by Teves, Richard Cuadra, and Rolando Pino, effectively ordering their release from custody.
A demurrer to evidence is a motion in which a defendant argues that the prosecution’s evidence is legally insufficient to prove the charges.
In his ruling, Judge Reyes stated, “The prosecution’s evidence is legally insufficient to sustain a conviction even if left unrebutted. The court is duty-bound to grant the demurrer to evidence.”
He added, “To require the accused to present evidence under these circumstances would amount to an impermissible shifting of the burden of proof and a violation of the constitutional presumption of innocence.”
The three were among several suspects charged in connection with the killing on March 25, 2019, in Dumaguete City. Other suspects in the case remain at large.
“Wherefore, the Demurrers to Evidence filed by accused Arnolfo Alipit Teves, Jr., Richard Cuadra a.k.a. Boy Cuadra, and Rolando Pinili a.k.a. Inday are granted.
For failure of the prosecution to establish a prima facie case, said accused are hereby acquitted of the crime charged,” the court’s order stated.
The acquittal comes nearly a year after Teves was arrested following his return from Timor-Leste. The decision concludes almost a year of legal proceedings in this case.
However, Teves remains in detention as he faces a separate murder case related to the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023.
Teves’ lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, called the acquittal a vindication.
“The acquittal of former Congressman Arnolfo Teves of the crime of murder by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 15 of Manila is a vivid demonstration that the cases filed against Mr. Teves are nothing but harassment suits meant to persecute a political opponent,” he said.
Topacio added, “It also shows how the Department of Justice has been weaponized for the purpose of vexing the critics of government. We are fortunate, however, to have found a fair and impartial tribunal that has proven itself truly independent and impervious to political pressures. There are many more battles left to fight for truth and justice. In this, we shall never waver until the last of these groundless suits are dismissed. For indeed, the wheels of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”
