Manila, Philippines — A Manila court has cleared former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in one of the murder cases filed against him.
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 15 acquitted Teves, in a document dated January 5, 2026 along with co-accused Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili, in connection with a 2019 triple murder case.
The presiding judge said prosecutors failed to present enough evidence to establish a prima facie case.
The case stemmed from murder complaints filed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, relating to the deaths of three individuals in 2019.
Following the ruling, the court ordered jail officials at Camp Bagong Diwa to release Teves, unless he is being held for other valid charges.
Similar release orders were issued for the two co-accused, who are detained at the Manila City Jail–Male Dormitory.
Despite the acquittal, Teves remains in custody as he continues to face multiple serious cases, including murder charges linked to the March 2023 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.