00:00 We will update you on the upcoming action of the former Negros Oriental representative Arnie Tevez after he was arrested in Timor-Leste.
00:07 We have a report. This afternoon, we have the lawyer of Tevez, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio. Good morning and welcome to the Balitang Hali.
00:15 Atty.
00:20 Good morning. We are with you.
00:25 You are all wet. Your body is wet.
00:27 Have you personally talked to your client in Timor-Leste after he was arrested?
00:33 Yes, I have talked to him, especially his legal team.
00:39 First of all, I am happy with the first statement of our NBIA team that they have nothing to do with the political asylum or any process.
00:50 It's only for them to backtrack and they will go through the process. You know, they didn't say it's a deportation.
00:58 The government of Timor-Leste will do a deportation because they are dealing with a sovereign state.
01:03 So they have to follow the process of the government of Timor-Leste.
01:08 Can you share with us the bill that was filed against former Congressman Tevez after he was arrested?
01:15 His hearing was continuous. Even on Saturday, there was a hearing. There was no hearing yesterday.
01:24 But now, his hearing is continuous. After 15 days or so, depending on the course of the hearing, we will know the disposition of Congressman Tevez.
01:37 The clear proof is that Congressman Tevez did not violate any law in Timor-Leste and his custody is only because of the request of our government.
01:49 Attorney, you said earlier that the red notice list was not automatically arrested. But your client was arrested. What is your reaction to that?
01:58 I'm saying that it's not because you arrested him, he will be arrested. It still depends on the process of the government.
02:09 Like this, they are being forced to go through deportation, they will be brought to the country, etc. They are being forced to go there.
02:18 They were not included because it was only a request. Our government, including the lawyers, they know the Constitutional presumption of innocence
02:30 that is also in Timor-Leste. It's a lie. It's a lie. It's a terrorist. Justice has been served. What justice has been served?
02:36 It's just a preliminary step. Let the Philippines prove that there's a crime. If we don't have witnesses, everyone will recount what they will say.
02:45 In any case, the NBI said it's important that he's arrested and in the custody of the authorities in Timor-Leste.
02:52 Anyway, one of your options is to ask for political asylum. You asked for it first and you were denied. You appealed and you were denied.
03:01 Do you have a new argument to give your request?
03:05 Our lawyers in Timor-Leste are doing something. Because now, it is before the courts, the process is ongoing.
03:18 This will be subject to processes and everything is on the table, whether it's granting political asylum or safe refuge,
03:26 or the request of our government to repatriate, everything is on the table. That's why I'm saying, don't consider this an achievement because it's a process,
03:36 it's an interpol. Even if it's a rock, anyone in Timor-Leste can be arrested because of the interpol. It's a big deal for them.
03:47 There's still a process. So they should not be gloating, even if they can return him to the Philippines, we still have a trial here.
03:57 What will happen if the extended 15-day detention for his case is over?
04:03 The court in Timor-Leste will decide whether to allow him to stay, under what conditions, whether he will be returned to the country and on what grounds.
04:16 As I said, everything now is in the air, everything is on the table. We will know that.
04:24 So they are precipitating. They should wait for the legal process. They should respect the sovereignty of Timor-Leste and not be the first.
04:36 Like deportation. If he's not deported now, he will be a head of the police force.
04:43 We also saw this on Friday, in the news this afternoon, the widow of Governor Ruel Degamo, who is the son-in-law of Mayor Janice Degamo.
04:51 You said and I quote, "I think it would be enough for us to be able to see him in jail." What can you say about this?
04:58 They're not out for justice. They're not interested in guilty or innocent. They just want Representative Tevez to be jailed for political reasons,
05:10 for being ashamed. Why don't they want to go through the process? They're not the ones who will be punished.
05:15 Let's see. You know, Raffy and I have been in this situation so many times before, to President Erap in the tax case, to Jimmy Paole in the fertilizer funds scam,
05:26 to President Arroyo. In the end, they were all absolved. So it's premature, that's what I'm saying.
05:33 If they want to see him in jail, they're allowed to do so. Let's not break the trip. If that's all they can do, let them do it.
05:41 Let them do it.
05:43 You said everything is on the table. Of course, it's included in his trip to the Philippines if he's a repatriate.
05:52 Did you prepare that? What did he say? What did you talk about?
05:56 We are ready for anything. Even if he's back in the Philippines and there will be a trial, let's see what will be the evidence.
06:05 What I'm saying is it's a long drawn-out process. All people, congressman, senator, ordinary people, are entitled to have a hearing.
06:16 Let's not judge them. That's why I'm saying, it's funny that our government, even the lawyers, they know the constitutional presumption of innocence.
06:24 Let's just do it. They won't be embarrassed.
06:29 We will wait for the next episode.
06:32 I will take this opportunity to ask, how is your plan for the case that you're facing, the client of Pastor Apollo Kibuloy?
06:39 In the Congress, where I'm in charge with Rafi, the vice chair of the Committee on Franchises, Representative Johnny Pimentel,
06:53 said that the arrest warrant is moot and academic because it's already in the Senate.
06:58 The one in charge in the Senate is Attorney Elvis Balayan. I think he's in a better position than I to answer your questions sir Rafi.
07:08 Okay. Thank you very much for the time you shared in Balitang Hali.
07:12 Anytime. Thank you very much. Good morning and God bless.
07:18 We will try to hear the NBI's statement in accordance with Attorney Topacio's statements.
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