Tarlac Court Sets Alice Guo’s Bail at P180,000 for Two Counts of Graft

September 6, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

A Tarlac court has issued an arrest warrant against dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo on graft charges.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo, the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 109 issued the warrant for two counts of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, also known as Republic Act No. 3019. This offense is bailable, with the court setting bail at P90,000 for each count.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires confirmed that his office filed the criminal case against Guo. This indicates that the Ombudsman found sufficient grounds to indict Guo and pursue the case. The same office had previously suspended and dismissed Guo due to administrative complaints filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The warrant stems from allegations related to Guo’s involvement with an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Bamban. The DILG argued that Guo did not revoke the business permit of the illegal POGO despite the expiration of its Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation license.

This arrest warrant is just one of several warrants filed against Guo. She also faces a standing arrest order from the Senate for not attending its inquiry into POGOs. Additionally, Guo is under investigation by the Department of Justice for other criminal complaints, including qualified human trafficking, tax evasion, and money laundering. These charges relate to her involvement with Baofu, a leasing company that rented space to a POGO found with evidence of torture and trafficking.

Despite the arrest warrant, Guo did not post bail when she appeared before the Capas RTC Branch 109. Her lawyer, Nicola Jamila, explained in a report published by Rappler, “Sa ngayon po kasi, we see no reason for that. Kahit magbail siya, hindi pa rin makukuha ang purpose, considering na meron siyang other warrant of arrest.” (At the moment, we see no reason for that. Even if she posts bail, it will not serve the purpose, considering that she has other arrest warrants.)

This decision means Guo will remain in PNP custody and will not be immediately transferred to the Senate, which has an outstanding arrest warrant for her. The Senate had scheduled her appearance for a panel hearing on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) on Monday, September 9.

Jamila stated that Guo feels safe in PNP custody and emphasized that attendance at the Senate hearing will depend on the decisions of the Tarlac court. “The court has jurisdiction over her, whatever the decision or the order of the judge, we will commit to that,” said the lawyer of Guo.

Guo was detained at the PNP Custodial Center following her deportation and arrival from Indonesia on Friday morning. From there, she was escorted by police to Tarlac for further legal proceedings.