Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo pleaded not guilty to graft charges before a Valenzuela Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Friday.
In a videoconference with Valenzuela RTC Branch 285, Guo denied the charges against her under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), pleading not guilty.
On November 22, the court will proceed with the presentation of evidence during the next hearing. Furthermore, Guo will not be required to attend, as she has waived her right to be present.
Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory, facing multiple charges including qualified human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion.
The National Bureau of Investigation previously revealed that Guo's fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping.
Moreover, Guo was charged with graft for her alleged involvement in the illegal activities of a Philippines Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her jurisdiction in Bamban.
Guo also pleaded not guilty to the qualified human trafficking charges filed against her during a hearing at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) on September 27.
