MANILA, Philippines – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is still very much in the Philippines.
This is what lawyer Stephen David believes because he himself had been assured of the former mayor that she never left the country.
As for the evidence presented by Sen. Risa Hontiveros as well as the intelligence information of the Bureau of Immigration and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, David said he respects the credibility of the documents but he will still believe the words of his client.
“Siyempre hindi ko mako-confirm ‘yan. Siguro ‘yung kanilang report, may basehan sila. Pero sa akin kasi, kausap ko kasi ‘yung client ko, sabi niya nasa Pilipinas naman siya,” he said in an interview on “Unang Balita.”
David said he was able to talk to the ex-mayor only yesterday when news of her escape came out just to confirm she is still in the country.
“Kausap ko siya kahapon. Nasa Pilipinas siya, oo,” he said.
He however said he refuses to ask the mayor of her exact location to avoid any untoward incident.
“Pero anyway inassure niya ko 100% na nasa Pilipinas siya,” he said.
David said Guo’s defense of still being in the country is strengthened by the statement of the notary public who swore that the mayor personally appeared before him to file for notarization.
“Kaya ako, hindi ako naniniwala na wala siya sa Pilipinas kasi nga bakit, isang abugado na may pangalan nananahimik ang buhay mo, bakit mo guguluhin para magpirma sa isang kasinungalingan, ‘di ba? Ako I have full trust and confidence in the integrity of Atty. Galicia,” David said.
David then challenged the claims of Guo’s critics by providing more corroborating pieces of evidence that indeed, she is in the countries she was said to be tracked.
“Kung meron silang ebidensya na nandoon siya sa Malaysia o Singapore, kung saan man ‘yan, malawak naman ang kamay ng ating batas. Meron naman sila sigurong mga coordination sa mga pulis doon. Kuhanan nila ng video o ano na nandoon talaga siya,” he said.
Guo however will not remain in hiding forever, according to David.
“Sabi niya in due time haharap siya kung alam niya safe siya,” he said.
