00:00The Justice Department is preparing to return former congressman Arnie Tevez to the Philippines after the court in Timor-Leste approved his extradition request.
00:12But Tevez's fellow countrymen still have time to gather.
00:17Salima Refran is on the scene.
00:22Former congressman Arnie Tevez will be returned to the country from Timor-Leste
00:27and will be faced with multiple cases of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder
00:32as well as the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Ruel de Gamo and many others.
00:37According to the Justice Department, after the court of appeals in Timor-Leste approved the extradition request of the Philippines.
00:57But Tevez's countrymen have 30 days to appeal the decision.
01:27The appellate process is not yet completed.
01:29Tevez's lawyer added that there is a political asylum request against the Justice Department.
01:38If there is a political asylum application, notwithstanding any extradition request, a person cannot be extradited because it would render the application for political asylum moot and academic.
01:50This was denied. They filed a motion for reconsideration. This was denied as well.
01:56So to our minds, as lawyers, that is the end of the rope on that particular aspect.
02:04That is why the Justice Department said that even if they appeal, they can arrest Tevez at any time.
02:11They are preparing for Tevez's return to the country.
02:14Because that person, subject of the extradition, is already an undocumented alien from the point of view of the Timor-Leste officials.
02:27Why? Because the Philippines had already cancelled his passport.
02:34The widow of De Gamo, Pamplona Mayor Janice De Gamo, was moved by this development.
02:40It's an unsure career, ma'am.
02:42I'm really crying, but that's really our career.
02:46I'm really thankful.
02:48And one step to make that happen is to have him come home and face us, face the court.
02:54For GMA Integrated News, Sanima Refran, Katutok, 24 Hours.
