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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Alice Guo should be least guilty in criminal complaints to be state witness -- DOJ

Alice Guo should be least guilty in criminal complaints to be state witness -- DOJ

Published Sep 8, 2024 06:23 am

Dismissed Mayor Alice L. Guo of Bamban, Tarlac should show that she is the least guilty in the criminal complants filed against her and other persons to become a state witness, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Sunday, Sept. 8.

DOJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez said on Teleradyo that one of the requirements to become a state witness is “you are the least guilty and at the same time the evidence that  you would provide are material for the prosecution.” 

As a state witness, a respondent in a criminal complaint will be placed in the government's Witness Protection Progam and will be given immunity from criminal prosecution. 

“If your evidence is strong and you want to strengthen it some more, as a legal strategy in litigation, you need to get one of the co-conspirators to speak up and be on your side,” Vasquez explained.

At the same time, Vasquez said the DOJ also wants to put a stop to the practice of witnesses recanting their statements. “They are making a mockery of our justice system,” he stressed.

He revealed that the DOJ is working on measures against witnesses retracting their testimonies.

“Legally we are trying to establish measures with the Supreme Court how to stop this nefarious activity of flip-flopping in their affidavits kasi ‘yung false testimony at tsaka ‘yang perjury mababa lang ‘yung penalty (because false testimony and perjury have low penalties),” he said.

Guo returned to the Philippines last Sept. 6 after being arrested in Indonesia by local authorities.

The dismissed mayor is facing multiple charges that include qualified trafficking in persons, money laundering, tax evasion and graft in connection with the operation of the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban town.

Vasquez expressed doubt that Guo has sent surrender feelers while in Indonesia as being reported in the news.

“As far as we know wala (there is none),” said Vasquez who noted that any person who got arrested may claim sending surrender feelers.

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