PASIG CITY — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has lodged non-bailable criminal charges of qualified trafficking against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and 13 others at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC).
According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed that the charges against Guo and her alleged associates, including former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, were officially filed in Pasig City. This decision follows a Supreme Court directive that granted the DOJ’s request to move the venue from Capas, Tarlac, where the alleged crimes occurred, to Pasig RTC due to a related administrative circular.
Clavano detailed the procedural steps, explaining that the transfer aims to centralize the judicial processes related to the case against Guo and her co-accused. The charges involve three companies and 12 executives and founders, all purportedly Guo’s business partners. He added that the DOJ continues to monitor potential additional charges that may arise from ongoing Senate investigations.
“The court will now need to make a judicial determination of probable cause for these charges, and if found, they will issue warrants of arrest,” Clavano stated. He emphasized the severity of the charges, noting that they are non-bailable, which would result in immediate custody upon the issuance of arrest warrants, regardless of any bail posted in other cases involving Guo.
Dr. Winston Casio, a spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, expressed anticipation for the forthcoming legal proceedings and the expected arrest warrant, which will clarify which specific branch of the Pasig RTC will handle the case.