12-9-2024 (MANILA) Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has advocated for the Bureau of Immigration to take custody of the embattled ex-official. This stance, articulated during a press briefing on Wednesday, adds a new layer of complexity to an already convoluted legal situation.
Remulla’s assertion comes amidst a jurisdictional tug-of-war between various government agencies over Guo’s detention. “If someone should detain Alice Guo, it should be the Bureau of Immigration,” Remulla stated emphatically. He further emphasised the gravity of immigration-related offences, noting, “An Immigration case should take precedence over everything. That’s non-bailable.”
The Justice Secretary’s comments highlight the multifaceted nature of the allegations against Guo, which span from local graft charges to potentially more severe immigration violations. Remulla pointed out the serious nature of Guo’s alleged offences, including the use of a fake passport and misrepresenting her nationality. “Her being an alien actually, trying to pass herself off as a Filipino… I think that is a major violation of law within our country,” he explained.
The Bureau of Immigration had previously announced that Guo faces deportation charges for misrepresentation and undesirability, adding another layer to her legal troubles. Remulla suggested that once the immediate legal matters are resolved, Guo’s case would likely fall under Immigration authority, with the agency seeking permission to bring her to court as needed.
Currently, Guo remains in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), despite initial plans to transfer her to Senate custody. This shift occurred after a Tarlac court issued a warrant against her, complicating the jurisdictional landscape. The situation is further muddied by senators insisting that Guo should be detained at the Senate, citing the primacy of their arrest order.
Remulla also expressed concerns about the handling of the graft case against Guo, which was filed in a Capas Regional Trial Court. He argued that such a case should have been filed before the Sandiganbayan, a special anti-graft court. “The Capas court cannot take precedence over what the Sandiganbayan should be doing. This is a case of a court issuing an order without jurisdiction,” Remulla asserted.
The Justice Secretary voiced discomfort with the case being filed in Tarlac, where Guo previously held office as mayor. He suggested this could potentially allow her to leverage local influence, stating, “It’s commonsensical to think that she would be more influential in that area which has been in her sphere of influence.”
Adding to the intricate legal web, Remulla revealed that a human trafficking complaint against Guo is nearing resolution, expected within the coming weeks. He emphasised the importance of swift resolution to prevent any dilatory tactics by the accused.
