Senate claims right to hold dismissed mayor Alice Guo

The Senate should have custody of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who is currently being held by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino argues that a 7-year-old law and a court circular from 2019 support the Senate's right to detain Guo based on an arrest order issued on July 13.

Tolentino cited a transmittal letter from the Office of the Ombudsman directing the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court to determine which judicial region should handle Guo's graft cases and stressed that under Republic Act 10660, cases involving public officials should be tried in regions other than where they hold office.

Presiding Judge Sara Vedaña-Delos Santos stated in a letter to Senator Risa Hontiveros that the court will continue to allow Guo's appearance at Senate hearings whenever required.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms will work with the PNP for a possible turnover of custody once legal issues are resolved or if bail is posted, and until then, Guo remains in PNP custody.