This image from the Facebook page of Sen Risa Hontiveros shows the Philippine passport of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her travel details to Kuala Lumpur.
MANILA: The legal team of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo believes that she is still in the country, based on the assurances given by their client, according to lawyer Stephen David.
In a text message sent to the media on Tuesday (Aug 20), David, who is part of Guo’s legal team, addressed Sen Risa Hontiveros’ claim that the dismissed mayor left the country for Malaysia on July 18.
“We, as her counsel, have always relied on the assurances provided by our client that she is still in the Philippines. Thus, without further evidence to prove that she has indeed left the country, our reliance in good faith on the assurances by our client remains,” David said.
“Throughout the course of our representation, we have continuously explained and emphasised to our client the importance of her personal participation in the legal process. We have consistently apprised her of her rights, and that without her active engagement, we will not be able to fully explore and exhaust all available legal remedies,” he added.
Earlier, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that Guo is still in the Philippines and had even requested the agency to dismiss the qualified human trafficking complaint against her on Aug 16.
In relation to this, the legal team expressed their “confidence” in the integrity of Atty. Elmer A. Galicia, the lawyer who notarised Guo’s counter-affidavit, believing that “he would not put his licence on the line in the practice of the legal profession.”
“We have consistently worked under the principle of upholding justice while observing one’s human rights, and it is crucial to underscore that we do not condone any form of evasion from legal responsibilities or attempts to avoid justice. We would not tolerate any person to become a fugitive from our justice system,” David said.
On Monday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission confirmed that Guo is now out of the country based on the immigration records of the Philippines’ foreign counterparts.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) likewise revealed that it received information suggesting that Guo “left the country illegally” without passing through the Philippine immigration authorities.
BI said Guo, whose real name is said to be Guo Huaping, “illegally travelled to Malaysia as early as July,” based on intelligence information that “came from very reliable sources.” - The Nation/ANN
