Suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves has filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the murder complaints filed against him in connection to the brazen killing of former Negros Oriental Roel Degamo.
The motion was filed by his legal counsels, led by Ferdinand Topacio on Monday, July 17.
Speaking to the reporters in an interview, Topacio said the court should dismiss the murder complaints against Teves since several suspects had already retracted their previous testimonies.
In May, at least 10 suspects executed their affidavit of recantation which denied that they were involved in the killing of Degamo and withdraw the allegation that Teves is the main mastermind in the crime.
"Secondly, assuming without conceding that the recantations have no effect, even in their original statements, walang matibay na ebidensya na nagtutuon kay Congressman Teves na siya ang pasimuno sa pagpatay kay Governor Degamo," he said.
Topacio added that the allegations thrown against his client were "hearsay", "conjecture", and "guesswork" only.
"At pangatlo, 'yung kanilang statements ay uncounseled, at sabi nga ng Korte Soprema na kapag uncounseled iyan, malakas ang elemento na psychological manipulation or intimidation," he said.
Earlier, the embattled Congressman sought to transfer the probe on his murder raps to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
But the DOJ panel of prosecutors denied the plea because they stated that they can "act independently."
In May, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder charges were filed against Teves for his alleged involvement in Degamo slay.
