MANILA, Philippines – The Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality has moved to cite in contempt suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and seven others for snubbing yet again the hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator on Wednesday, July 10.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada moved to issue the arrest order against Guo which was approved by committee chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Hontiveros also approved Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s move to cite in contempt Guo’s relatives and associates.
“’Di magiging kumpleto ang ating mga hearing kung wala ang mga personalidad na ito,” Gatchalian said.
Among them were:
- Nancy J. Gamo (alleged former consultant of Alice Guo)
- Dennis Cunanan (ex-Technology Resource Center chief)
- Wenyi Lin (Guo’s alleged biological mother)
- Seimen L. Guo (Alice’s brother)
- Jian Zhong Guo (or Angelito Guo, Alice’s father)
- Wesley Guo (Guo’s brother)
- Sheila Guo (Guo’s sister)
Gatchalian said snubbing the subpoenas issued by the committee is an utter disrespect to the Senate as an institution and its quest to uncover the truth.
Hontiveros said that once Senate President Chiz Escudero signs the motions to cite Guo and the others in contempt, this will set the ball rolling for their arrest.
Escudero had earlier said that he was willing to sign the arrest warrant against the suspended mayor if Hontiveros would ask for it.
Subpoenaed were:
- Jaimielyn S. Cruz
- Roderick Paul B. Pujante
- Juan Miguel Alpas
- Katherine Cassandra Ong
- Alberto Rodulfo “Ar” De La Serna
- Jonathan Mendoza
- Ronelyn B. Baterna
- Michael Bryce B. Mascarenas
- Stephanie B. Mascarenas
- Rodrigo A. Banda
- Jing Gu
- Xiang Tan
- Daniel Salcedo, Jr.
- Chona A. Alejandre
- Duanren Wu
Mental health reason
The mayor however sent a letter of explanation as to why she skipped today’s hearing. She cited health and mental health reasons.
She had already submitted herself to a professional check but said her doctors refused to issue her medical certificates in fear of being dragged into the controversy the mayor is involved in.
Senator Nancy Binay, who also made a manifestation to cite Guo in contempt, slammed the mayor’s reason.
“Ang sa akin lang, nakakahiya naman po sa mga tunay na may mental health condition…Seryosong usapin ang mental health at hindi po ito dapat ginagamit na dahilan para magsinungaling,” Binay said.
Hontiveros said the committee does not accept Guo’s reason.
“We find her claims in the letter void of credibility,” Hontiveros said.
