The Office of the Ombudsman clarified on Monday that the Senate cannot challenge the court’s authority over the custody of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Ombudsman Samuel Martires emphasized that the arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) holds more legal weight than one issued by the Senate.
“The warrant of arrest issued by the Senate cannot be superior to the warrant of arrest issued by the RTC,” Martires stated. He advised the Senate to request the Capas RTC to produce Guo during their hearings if necessary.
Guo was apprehended in Indonesia and brought to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame last Friday. She was arrested following a warrant issued by the Capas RTC in connection with a graft case.
Meanwhile, the Senate panel issued a separate arrest warrant for Guo after she failed to appear for an investigation regarding a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub raid in her town.
Senator Francis Tolentino argued that Guo should be under the Senate’s custody, challenging the validity of the Tarlac RTC’s arrest warrant. However, Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that coordination with the PNP would continue regarding her possible turnover to the Senate, pending jurisdiction issues.
The Department of Justice also questioned the filing of graft charges in the Tarlac RTC, noting that Guo’s Salary Grade 30 status should have placed her case under the Ombudsman’s and Sandiganbayan’s jurisdiction. Martires responded by explaining that Guo was no longer a public official when the case was filed, thus the local court retains jurisdiction.