(UPDATES) THE Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court received on Friday the case files of two corruption charges against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo from a court in Tarlac.
A warrant of arrest was issued against Guo by the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 109 for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
It was the Department of the Interior and Local Government that filed the cases, alleging that the dismissed mayor used her power to issue a permit to an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator in Bamban, Tarlac.
Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO
However, Sen. Francis Tolentino questioned the Capas court’s jurisdiction over the cases, saying it was the Senate who should have custody of Guo.
He added that Guo’s cases should be tried in a neutral place outside of Tarlac as mandated by law.
Capas, Tarlac Branch 109 Presiding Judge Sarah Vedaña-de los Santos inhibited herself from the cases and allowed their transfer to Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court.
Valenzuela City Clerk of Court Gemma Perino said the Senate could request the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court for Guo’s appearance in a legislative inquiry on September 17, while her cases were being raffled off.
She added the court did not object to Tolentino’s suggestion that Guo be detained at a Philippine National Police custodial facility for the time being.
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