Alice Guo as state witness? DOJ official weighs in
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Alice Guo as state witness? DOJ official weighs in
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MANILA — Now that Alice Guo is back in the Philippines after weeks of being on the run, talk of her possibly becoming a state witness has reemerged.
MANILA — Now that Alice Guo is back in the Philippines after weeks of being on the run, talk of her possibly becoming a state witness has reemerged.
Becoming a state witness in the Philippines provides an accused with immunity from criminal prosecution, according to the Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Act or Republic Act No. 6981.
Becoming a state witness in the Philippines provides an accused with immunity from criminal prosecution, according to the Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Act or Republic Act No. 6981.
Speaking on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Sunday, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said that whether the dismissed Bamban mayor becomes a state witness would depend on the degree of her involvement in the various crimes she is accused of.
Speaking on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Sunday, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said that whether the dismissed Bamban mayor becomes a state witness would depend on the degree of her involvement in the various crimes she is accused of.
Guo is fighting graft, money laundering, and human trafficking charges related to her alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations in Bamban.
Guo is fighting graft, money laundering, and human trafficking charges related to her alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations in Bamban.
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According to Republic Act No. 6981, an accused who wants to become a state witness should not appear to be most guilty and there should be an "absolute necessity" for their testimony.
According to Republic Act No. 6981, an accused who wants to become a state witness should not appear to be most guilty and there should be an "absolute necessity" for their testimony.
"If your evidence is strong, and you want to strengthen it some more as a legal strategy in the litigation, you need to get one of the co-conspirators to speak up and be on your side as long as their statements are supported or corroborated by evidence," Vasquez said.
"If your evidence is strong, and you want to strengthen it some more as a legal strategy in the litigation, you need to get one of the co-conspirators to speak up and be on your side as long as their statements are supported or corroborated by evidence," Vasquez said.
Other requirements that need to be fulfilled to become a state witness under the law include the following.
Other requirements that need to be fulfilled to become a state witness under the law include the following.
- There must be no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense committed.
- The accused must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
- The offense in which their testimony will be used is a "grave felony."
- There must be no other direct evidence available for the proper prosecution of the offense committed.
- The accused must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
- The offense in which their testimony will be used is a "grave felony."
Philippine authorities brought Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, back to the country early Friday morning after she was arrested by Indonesian authorities a few days earlier.
Philippine authorities brought Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, back to the country early Friday morning after she was arrested by Indonesian authorities a few days earlier.
She is expected to attend a Senate hearing on Monday, September 9, after a court allowed her to do so. Sen. Risa Hontiveros requested Guo's appearance at the hearing.
She is expected to attend a Senate hearing on Monday, September 9, after a court allowed her to do so. Sen. Risa Hontiveros requested Guo's appearance at the hearing.
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