Hontiveros questions Guo graft case venue

Updated Mon, September 9, 2024 at 9:00 PM Published Sat, September 7, 2024 at 3:48 PM

Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned why the graft case and arrest warrant against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo were filed in a Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC) instead of the Sandiganbayan.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will seek clarification from the Office of the Ombudsman on whether the charges were correctly lodged before the RTC.

Remulla noted that charges against officials earning at least Salary Grade 26 should be filed before the Sandiganbayan, and a mayor holds Salary Grade 30.

He suggested that the case being filed in the RTC might have been an oversight.

The graft charge stemmed from a complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government against Guo and other local officials over alleged links to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in Bamban.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) took custody of the dismissed mayor after the Capas RTC Branch 109 ordered her arrest for graft charges.

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Philippine National Police Department of Justice DILG Risa Hontiveros POGO Jesus Crispin Remulla Regional Trial Courts Office of the Ombudsman Sandiganbayan Alice Guo

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