'We’re working on it': DOJ says on expelled solon Teves’ extradition

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is working on extraditing expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. after a Manila court ordered the cancellation of his passport.

In a press briefing on Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Philippine government are in discussions with the government of East Timor, where the solon was reportedly last seen.

“We just had to wait for the [Manila] court to cancel the passport, to show it's not just a political matter, it's not even a political matter but a criminal justice matter. That's why his right to travel has been impaired because the courts have already canceled the passport based on the cases already pending before our courts on Teves,” Remulla said.

On February 8, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to revoke Teves' passport due to his designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council and charges related to financing terrorism.

Teves’ passport cancellation is also “deemed final and executory,” according to Remulla, as the lawmaker has not appeared before the court to appeal the verdict.

"He has no personality to even appear in court to ask for reconsideration. That's why we consider it final and executory. Hindi pa siya nagsa-submit sa jurisdiction ng court, that's become a more or less unilateral effort on our part," he said.

(He has not even appeared in court to request reconsideration. That's why we consider it final and executory. Since he has not submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, it has become more or less a unilateral effort on our part.)

Upon the revocation of Teves' passport, he will be barred from traveling to any country and will be obligated to return to the Philippines to address the charges against him.

Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, previously said that they would exhaust all legal remedies to reverse the decision of the Manila court. 

Remulla added that they are collaborating with the DFA and consulting with the Executive Secretary regarding the extradition of Teves.

“We're working on it because the court's decision is there already so there is no way he can travel unless he's granted