Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. File photo 

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday clarified that the order of the Manila Regional Trial Court Court Branch 51 to cancel the passport of expelled congressman Arnulfo Teves is not yet final and executory.

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Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said Teves’ camp has 15 days to file their motion for reconsideration.

Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio earlier said that they will exhaust all legal means to reverse the court’s decision.

“Due process dictates na yung decision po ay magiging final and executory only upon 15 days within which may chance po ang kabilang counsel o kabilang kampo na mag-file ng necessary pleading nila so kasama na po dyan ang motion for reconsideration,” Clavano said.

Clavano added the DOJ is set to oppose the appeal of Teves.

“Itong kaso na ito ay nagpapakita ng impunity sa ating bansa at itong kaso na ito na hinain natin sa isang former sitting congressman ay isang napakagandang hakbang para matigil na itong culture of impunity,” Clavano said.

The DOJ however reiterated that the cancellation of the passport of Teves will ultimately bring the former congressman — last seen in Timor Leste — back to the Philippines.

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“Hindi na siya makapaglipat ng bansa pa. This is a very good development for us dahil iyon naman talaga ang gusto natin na — siguro — to come back home and face the charges like a man,” Clavano said.

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