The legal team of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is set to appeal the Pasig court ruling that convicted her of qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense carrying life imprisonment.
“We are just protecting her rights as an accused and at the same time siyempre, kung ano ‘yong nararapat, kung ano ‘yong rights niya, and at the same time, kung ano rin ‘yong mga necessary steps na gawin within the bounds of law. So, definitely, we will appeal naman the decision,” Guo’s lawyer Nicole Jamilla said in a chance interview at the Pasig Hall of Justice.
Guo’s conviction arose from allegations linking her to large-scale trafficking activities tied to a POGO compound operating in Bamban. The court sentenced Guo and seven co-accused to life imprisonment, imposed a ₱2-million fine, and ordered additional reparations for victims.
Jamilla said Guo remains resilient despite the verdict: “Siyempre malungkot but she’s strong… She will fight.”
The Pasig City RTC Branch 167 is expected to issue a resolution this week on Guo’s request to remain at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory rather than be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.