The supposed arraignment of dismissed Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Capas, Tarlac, scheduled for Friday, September 13, has been canceled and will instead be moved to the RTC in Valenzuela.
This was confirmed by Senator Francis Tolentino during an interview with DZRH News on Friday, noting that the Capas court agreed with his position that it does not have jurisdiction over Guo's case and that the Valenzuela RTC should handle it.
"Cinancel na po 'yun ng Tarlac Capas [court] at sumanib na po sa aking posisyon na wala silang jurisdiction. Ang kaso po ngayon ay ilalagay sa tamang RTC. Ang tamang RTC na dapat i-file ang kaso, para legal lahat, walang butas, ay ang RTC ng Valenzuela City sa Metro Manila," Tolentino said.
He also confirmed that the case folders and records are currently being transferred to the RTC in Valenzuela.
As a result, this afternoon's arraignment for Alice Guo has been canceled, and her arraignment will now take place in the RTC Valenzuela.
According to Tolentino, the arraignment will likely be held next week.
It can be recalled that during Tuesday's Senate hearing into Guo's case, Tolentino expressed concern following Capas court's issuance of an arrest warrant to Guo over charges of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The DOJ, meanwhile, suggested the transfer of Guo's case to Metro Manila to avoid "bias".
Guo is currently under the custody of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame.
