VALENZUELA—The graft case against dismissed Mayor Alice Guo has been officially transferred from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 109 in Capas, Tarlac, to Valenzuela City, addressing jurisdictional concerns over the influence the former mayor may still wield in her home region.
According to the Philippines News Agency, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino announced on Friday that the decision was made to relocate the trial to ensure impartiality, canceling the scheduled arraignment and pre-trial proceedings that were supposed to occur this afternoon in Capas. “The last time I heard, they will transfer this case to the appropriate RTC, and I am now holding a transmittal letter of Alice Guo's criminal case which contains that all the documents in the case are going to the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela," Tolentino stated during a virtual press briefing.
The Clerk of Court in Valenzuela confirmed receipt of Guo’s case folders early Friday morning, with a case raffle set for September 19 to assign a judge and branch. The move follows guidelines outlined in Republic Act (RA) 10660, which advises against prosecuting local officials in judicial regions where they hold significant influence.
During a Senate hearing, Tolentino argued that Guo's case should not have been filed in Capas due to her potential lingering influence in Region 3, citing RA 10660, which restricts where charges against officials of her rank can be filed. He noted, "According to RA 10660, an official, especially the mayor and those with salary grade 27 and above, cannot be prosecuted in the judicial region where they are in office. So, Tarlac Region 3, she cannot be charged there because she still has influence."
The senator also remarked on the legal implications of such jurisdictional errors, suggesting that they could lead to appeals up to the Supreme Court, potentially resulting in Guo's acquittal on technical grounds. He expressed confidence that the new proceedings in Valenzuela would correct these issues, ensuring a fair trial.
The Supreme Court clarified that the case transfer adhered to the Office of the Court Administrator's Circular No. 10-2024, which sets uniform guidelines for cases involving local officials. The directive aims to forward such cases to the nearest RTC in the nearest judicial region from where the official holds public office, thereby minimizing undue influence.
Senate panels requiring Guo's attendance at inquiries will now need to coordinate with the executive judge of the Valenzuela RTC, following proper legal and procedural frameworks.