Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has apologized to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero over her earlier remarks against some senators but the latter refuses to give in to her requests.
In her letter to Escudero dated July 22, Guo explained she has no intention of insulting members of the Senate which has issued an arrest warrant against her for her continued refusal to appear in the investigation into her involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs in her town.
Guo had earlier also criticized Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian and other senators for seemingly being fixated on her while there are other bigger issues that the country is facing.
“Wala po akong intention na pagsabihan o diktahan ang Senado kung ano ang mga dapat bigyang prayoridad (I have no intention to dictate the Senate or what should be their priority),” Guo said.
“Nauunawaan ko po na ang bawat mambabatas ay may sariling tungkulin at responsibilidad sa bayan. Ang aking layunin lamang po ay magbigay ng suhestyon base sa mga problemang nararanasan ng aking mga kababayan sa Bamban (I understand that each lawmaker has their own duties and responsibilities to the country. My goal was simply to provide suggestions based on the issues experienced by my fellow citizens in Bamban),” she said.
Guo, in her letter, also appealed the Senate leadership to help her constituents since her suspension has barred her from performing her duties as local chief executive.
She also assured she is ready to face all the charges that have been lodged against her in various government offices such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
But Escudero refused to give in to Guo’s demands saying she has to follow the Senate’s rules and appear before the Senate committee hearing on the issue.
“Bagaman nauunawaan ko yung pang-unawang hinihingi niya, hanggat hindi siya nagpapakita at sumusunod sa Senado ay hindi ko matatanggap ang anumang pakiusap na hinihiling niya dun sa kanyang liham (Although I understand her appeal, until she shows up and follows the Senate’s rules I cannot accept any request that she stated in the letter),” she said.
With her regards to her appeal for help for her constituents, Escudero pointed out there is already a vice mayor who has taken her place to continue the government’s work in Bamban.