Teves refuses to enter any plea during arraignment

Expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. justified his decision not to enter any plea, whether guilty or not guilty, when arraigned on Thursday, June 5, by a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) on a case involving illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

- By JEFFREY DAMICOG

For his refusal to enter a plea on the charges, RTC Judge Renato Z. Enciso ordered that a plea of not guilty be entered on the records of the case.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ legal counsel, said that his client refused to enter a plea because of certain legal complications in Timor-Leste.

Topacio told journalists: “It’s a symbolic act. It’s a legal act in so far as the government of Timor-Leste is concerned. It’s an act of protest as to the actuations of the Philippine government, especially the Executive branch.”