Alice Guo. Photo from Senate of the Philippines/FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — The Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has yet to authorize the second appearance of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo at the Senate since her arrest.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo provided this update on Monday.
“We are waiting, in fact, today, if the Valenzuela RTC will release an order ordering the PNP to bring Alice Guo,” Fajardo said in a press conference.
In a letter dated Sept. 13, the Senate committee on women requested Judge Ronald Leo Haban of the Capas, Tarlac to allow Guo’s presence at the next hearing.
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Fajardo said the Capas, Tarlac court already approved the request of the Senate committee headed by Hontiveros.
However, Fajardo noted that due to the transfer of court’ jurisdiction from Capas to Valenzuela, the approval of the latter is necessary.
Guo’s first Senate hearing appearance since her arrest was on Sept. 9.
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Guo, who is currently detained at the PNP custodial center, cannot be brought to the Senate if there is no prior approval from the court.
Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 109 served a warrant of arrest against Guo last Thursday over her alleged violation of the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Her bail is set at P180,000, but she has not posted bail so far.
Guo left the country on July 18 and was arrested on September 4.
The former mayor has been the subject of scrutiny over her alleged ties to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firms in Bamban town.