Tarlac court commits Alice Guo to PNP Custodial Center

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo did not post bail over the graft charges filed against her with the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 109, according to Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan Friday.

A commitment order was also issued for Guo's detention at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Quezon City.

"May commitment order sa PNP custodial center. Di siya nag-bail. I'm waiting for the copy (of the order)," Ancan said in a text message to reporters.

(There was a commitment order for her to be detained at PNP Custodial Center. She did not post bail.)  

LOOK: Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court’s commitment order for ex-Mayor Alice Guo’s detention at PNP Custodial Center. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/cikPImRknT

— Hana Bordey (@HanaBordey) September 6, 2024

This was confirmed by Guo's legal counsel Atty. Stephen David in a phone interview with repoters.

"'Di na. 'Di pa naman urgent 'yan kasi meron siyang warrant na issued ng Senate. Magbe-bail siya ngayon, maaabala ka nang todo-todo and then 'di ka rin makakalaya dahil meron ka pang haharapin na warrant sa Senate," David said.

(She didn't post bail. It is not urgent since she is also facing a warrant issued by the Senate. If she will post bail, she will still not be released because there is a warrant issued by the Senate.)

But this move, he said, does not mean that Guo wants to stay under the custody of the PNP and not the Senate.

"Hindi naman 'yan parang mas gusto niya sa PNP kesa sa Senate. Tingin ko mas gusto niya sa Senate kasi andyan 'yung kapatid niya, 'di ba? Wala naman siyang power na mamili kasi it will always be at the discretion of the authorities," David said.

(It's not that she wants to stay in the PNP that in the Senate. I think she prefers to be in the Senate because her sister is there. However, she has no power to choose because it will always be at the discretion of the authorities.)

Earlier today, Guo was brought to Capas, Tarlac regional trial court in compliance with the warrant of arrest which was issued against her on Thursday.

The dismissed mayor left Camp Crame at 9:40 a.m. and arrived at Tarlac court past 11 a.m. She left the court past 12 noon to return to the PNP Custodial Center.

With this development, Ancan said the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality would need to request the court to allow Guo's presence when it continues its investigation into the former mayor's alleged involvement in POGO operations in Bamban, Tarlac on Monday.

"Request na lang ng committee siguro her presence during the hearing," he said.

(The committee might request her presence during the hearing.) 

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate panel, already wrote to Capas, Tarlac RTC Branch 109 Presiding Judge Sarah Vedaña-Delos Santos requesting the court to allow Guo to appear at the continuation of the Senate investigation.

Hontiveros earlier insisted that the Senate should take custody of Guo, noting that her arrest was made possible because of the arrest order that was issued by the upper chamber in July.

She pointed out that the arrest order from the Senate was issued way before the warrant of arrest from the Tarlac court.

Guo was nabbed by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang City early Wednesday morning. She arrived in the Philippines early Friday morning.

The dismissed mayor said she left the country because she fears for her life amid the threats she received. Her legal counsel, Atty. Stephen Davide said the threats were relayed through her family and close friends.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said she told Guo that she should tell the truth and the authorities will protect her.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), however, does not believe that Guo received death threats when she was still in the Philippines.

"Ang babaeng ito at ang pamilya nila ay namuhay sa isang buhay ng kasinungalingan, so I will never believe anything that comes out of their mouths again, unless may ebidensya," PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio said.

(This woman and her family have been living a life of lies, so I will never believe anything that comes out of their mouths again, unless there's evidence.)

Abalos also said that no special treatment will be given to the dismissed mayor.

''I've done my best, mission accomplished, nadala ko po si Alice Guo (I was able to bring home Alice Guo) and there are no special treatments," said Abalos, who flew to Indonesia on Thursday to personally take custody of Guo.

"Right now may mugshot siya, nakakulong po siya ngayon sa kulungan (she will be detained), no cellphone, no aircon, just like an ordinary detainee,'' he added. 

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier said the arrest of Guo should serve as a warning to those attempting to evade justice in the country.

"Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you," he said.

He also said Guo should not to be evasive in congressional hearings and just tell the truth. 

Marcos said he wants Guo ''to lay out exactly how these POGOs became so large.'' He added that Guo should explain why she supposedly did not know the extent of POGO problem in her locality.—AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News