Guo says she knows lawyer in doubtful notarization | ABS-CBN
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Guo says she knows lawyer in doubtful notarization
Guo says she knows lawyer in doubtful notarization
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 08, 2024 10:31 AM PHT
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Updated Sep 08, 2024 10:41 AM PHT
Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is presented to the media inside a room at the Royal Star Aviation hangar in Pasay City shortly after her arrival on September 6, 2024. Guo, who is facing several cases related to her alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations, was arrested in Indonesia after fleeing the Philippines in July undetected. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is presented to the media inside a room at the Royal Star Aviation hangar in Pasay City shortly after her arrival on September 6, 2024. Guo, who is facing several cases related to her alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations, was arrested in Indonesia after fleeing the Philippines in July undetected. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo admitted that she knew the lawyer involved in the questionable notarization of her counter-affidavit.
MANILA – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo admitted that she knew the lawyer involved in the questionable notarization of her counter-affidavit.
Guo had reportedly left the country when Elmer Galicia, a Bulacan lawyer, notarized her counter-affidavit.
Guo had reportedly left the country when Elmer Galicia, a Bulacan lawyer, notarized her counter-affidavit.
Asked by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) if she knows Galicia, Guo said, “Yung nagnotaryo? Oo.”
Asked by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) if she knows Galicia, Guo said, “Yung nagnotaryo? Oo.”
But she declined to comment when pressed about when they met and if she personally appeared before him for the notarization of her counter-affidavit.
But she declined to comment when pressed about when they met and if she personally appeared before him for the notarization of her counter-affidavit.
A Supreme Court ruling in 2018 said lawyers should only notarize a document if the person who signed it personally appears before them to attest to its contents.
A Supreme Court ruling in 2018 said lawyers should only notarize a document if the person who signed it personally appears before them to attest to its contents.
Despite that, it is not uncommon for people having documents notarized to never meet the notarizing lawyer and go through proxies like a secretary or legal assistant.
Despite that, it is not uncommon for people having documents notarized to never meet the notarizing lawyer and go through proxies like a secretary or legal assistant.
WHAT GALICIA SAID
WHAT GALICIA SAID
Galicia has insisted that he saw Guo personally on the night of Aug. 14 despite claims she had fled the country as early as July.
Galicia has insisted that he saw Guo personally on the night of Aug. 14 despite claims she had fled the country as early as July.
According to Galicia, Guo and her companions were inside their vehicle throughout the entire process and only rolled down their window to talk to him.
According to Galicia, Guo and her companions were inside their vehicle throughout the entire process and only rolled down their window to talk to him.
"Bilang nagsilbi ako sa mga mayor ay may paggalang ako sa kanila, hindi ko naman kayang utusan na bumaba ka nga dito... Sabi ko 'mayor', sabi niya sa akin 'Alice na lang po, pasensya na po kayo attorney at wala na po akong malapitan, wala na pong gustong tumulong sakin," Galicia said.
"Bilang nagsilbi ako sa mga mayor ay may paggalang ako sa kanila, hindi ko naman kayang utusan na bumaba ka nga dito... Sabi ko 'mayor', sabi niya sa akin 'Alice na lang po, pasensya na po kayo attorney at wala na po akong malapitan, wala na pong gustong tumulong sakin," Galicia said.
Galicia said he had a "soft spot" for people in need so he proceeded to notarize Guo's documents, adding that Guo showed her driver's license to prove her identity.
Galicia said he had a "soft spot" for people in need so he proceeded to notarize Guo's documents, adding that Guo showed her driver's license to prove her identity.
"May soft spot ako sa ganyan. Pakiramdam ko nangangailangan ng tulong itong tao at bakit ko ide-deny, duty ko 'to bilang abogado na mag-represent," he said.
"May soft spot ako sa ganyan. Pakiramdam ko nangangailangan ng tulong itong tao at bakit ko ide-deny, duty ko 'to bilang abogado na mag-represent," he said.
The lawyer also claimed he did not ask Guo for a fee. "Wala akong siningil," he said.
The lawyer also claimed he did not ask Guo for a fee. "Wala akong siningil," he said.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it was unlikely that Galicia and Guo met in person. It is seeking to junk Guo's counter-affidavit.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it was unlikely that Galicia and Guo met in person. It is seeking to junk Guo's counter-affidavit.
Guo was arrested in Indonesia on Tuesday and brought back to the Philippines early Friday.
Guo was arrested in Indonesia on Tuesday and brought back to the Philippines early Friday.
She faces charges of graft, money laundering and human trafficking in relation to a scam-farm raid in Bamban.
She faces charges of graft, money laundering and human trafficking in relation to a scam-farm raid in Bamban.
Guo is also wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged ties to scam-farm operations.
Guo is also wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged ties to scam-farm operations.
– With reports from Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse
– With reports from Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse
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