DOJ to probe notary public ‘visited’ by Guo

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate the notary public who notarized the counter-affidavit of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, even if she did not personally swear before him, its spokesperson said Wednesday. 

“May gagawin ang DOJ, lalo na in relation to his notarial authority na baka na misuse at na-abuse ‘yung kanyang kapangyarihan bilang isang notaryo,” Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said in an interview.

(The DOJ will act on this, especially with regard to his notarial authority, as there's a possibility that it might be misused or abused.)

“Hindi naman tama ‘yung kanyang ginawang proseso. Hindi nga siya daw sure kung si Alice Guo ba talaga ‘yung humarap sa kanya,” he added.

(The process she went through wasn't right. Besides, she wasn't even sure if it was really Alice Guo who faced her.)

During Tuesday’s Senate hearing, various senators flagged Atty. Elmer Galicia for his lapses in following procedure when he notarized Guo’s counter-affidavit at his office in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

The document was notarized on August 14, when Guo was already out of the country.

Senators noted that Galicia notarized the document even though Guo did not personally swear before him.

They also pointed out that Galicia did not ask Guo to sign the notarial book.

Efforts underway

Clavano said that authorities are looking into everything, but that they cannot make assumptions.

“But definitely efforts are underway na alamin talaga kung ano ang role niya dito sa lahat. Dahil minislead niya talaga kami,” Clavano said.

(Definitely, efforts are underway to really understand his role in all of this. Because he really misled us.)

“We were under the impression na humarap talaga si Alice Guo sa kanya and we accepted ‘yung motion to admit the counter-affidavit on that basis,” he added.

(We were under the impression that Alice Guo indeed appeared before him, and we accepted the motion to admit the counter-affidavit based on that.)

The counter-affidavit notarized by Galicia was for the human trafficking complaint filed against Guo and others before the Justice Department.  

Due to Galicia’s pronouncements, Clavano said the panel of prosecutors handling the complaint may likely deny her motion to reopen the investigation and admit her counter-affidavit.

“Definitely doon sa umuusad na kaso ni Alice Guo sa DOJ, makikita talaga natin na hindi talaga siya ang gumawa at ang nag oath doon sa notaryo. So ‘yung counter-affidavit na ‘yun ay malamang hindi talaga ia-accept ng prosecutors,” he said.

Clavano stressed that individuals are required to personally swear or take an oath before a competent lawyer or prosecutor.

Meanwhile, Guo's supposed sister, Shiela Guo, has confirmed that they left the Philippines via several boats.

The BI said that Guo was reported to be in Jakarta as of August 26. —VAL, GMA Integrated News