Timor Leste is committed to turning over expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. to the government as soon as possible, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Saturday.

In a news forum in Quezon City, Justice Spokesperson Mico Clavano IV said the President of Timor Leste doesn’t want Teves in the custody of his country any longer.

“Yesterday actually lumabas ang balita na ang President ng Timor-Leste mismo si José Ramos-Horta said it will not be too long before Teves is sent back to the Philippines,” said Clavano.

“I don’t think that the president of Timor-Leste wants him to stay [there] any longer,” he added.

The DOJ said the government is ready for the extradition process, which is expected to happen after the Pope Francis’ visit to Timor Leste next week.

“This is a whole-of-government approach that we are doing in the case of former Congressman Teves. And we hope to execute everything or operation right after the papal visit,” said Clavano.

Pope Francis is scheduled to have his apostolic visit in Timor Leste from September 9 to 11.