By Hannah L. Torregoza
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday, July 15 dared suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo and six other personalities who have been subpoenaed by the Senate to appear at the Upper Chamber’s ongoing investigation on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-related crimes.
Over the weekend, the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) served the subpoena signed by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero but failed to arrest seven out of the eight (8) subpoenaed by the chamber.
Only Guo’s alleged accountant, Nancy Gamo, was arrested and is now currently detained at the Senate.
“Kaya sa mga missing in action parin: Magpakita na kayo. Hindi mabubura ng inyong pagtatago ang katotohanan (That’s why for those who are missing in action: Show up. Hiding won’t erase the truth),” Hontiveros said during an online press interview.
“At Mayor Alice Guo o Guo Hua Ping: Kung nakakapag-Facebook ka, siguro naman kaya mo nang humarap sa Senado. Ginamit mo pa ang Facebook para sa pagpapakalat ng fake news na Pilipino kayo (And to Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping: If you are able to use Facebook, then maybe you have the guts to face the Senate. Why use Facebook to propagate lies that you are a Filipino)?” she pointed out.
“Hindi ka Pilipino. Ang titibay na ng ebidensya (You are not a Filipino. The evidences against you are solid),” the lawmaker reiterated.
Guo had repeatedly denied having any links to the Hongsheng Gaming Technology Incorporated and Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated—two POGO companies which authorities earlier raided in Bamban, Tarlac.
During the course of the hearing, questions about Guo’s real identity came into light after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found her fingerprints matched with that of a certain Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping.
“Nakakainsulto sa mamamayan na ginamit mo ang nasyonalidad namin para magpayaman, manloko, at magpasok ng mga POGO na puro krimen ang dala sa bansa (It’s insulting to local citizens for you to use our nationality to enrich yourself, deceive and allow the entry of POGOs that bring about criminality to our nation),” she pointed out.
Planning to surrender
Meanwhile, Guo’s lawyer Stephen David, said his client is contemplating whether she would voluntarily surrender herself or appear before the Senate.
David said he had told Guo that she could not forever evade arrest and that she was invited so she can testify or just be a resource person in the Senate.
But his client has said she is traumatized by the recent developments and is afraid about her security and what could happen to her if she is imprisoned.
“In fact, ako nase-sense ko, personally natatakot siya (I can sense, that personally she is afraid),” David said.
According to David, he assured the mayor that he could ask the Senate to provide her a decent accommodation since she is an elected public official. The mayor, in response, said she will consider about her options.