Manila: A Manila court has granted bail to former Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his co-accused, Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili, in connection with the killing of alleged hitman Pacito Libron in 2019. The decision offers a temporary reprieve for the trio as they await further legal proceedings.

According to Philippines News Agency, despite the bail approval, Teves will continue to remain in custody due to separate, non-bailable charges linked to multiple murders, including the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others in 2023. The Manila Regional Trial Court, led by Judge Ryan Philipp Bartolome, set the bail amounts at PHP500,000 for Teves and PHP250,000 each for Cuadra and Pinili.

The court's resolution highlighted inconsistencies in the testimony of state witness Gemuel Hobro, noting that his changing answers weakened the prosecution's case. The court stated that without conclusive evidence of conspiracy, the actions of Cuadra in the alleged shooting and killing of Libron could not be attributed to Pinili and Teves. The court emphasized that each accused should be held accountable for their individual actions, based on evidence presented during the trial.

In a related development, the Court of Appeals 3rd Division recently denied a petition for certiorari filed by Teves. The petition accused Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Judge Renato Enciso of grave abuse of discretion regarding Teves' indictment related to possession of ammunition and explosives in 2023.