MANILA-Philippines – Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will most likely be a no show once again in the upcoming Senate probe scheduled on July 10 because she is “sick” and “still suffering from trauma” from past hearings, lawyer said.
In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David said the embattled town chief has been affected so much she refuses to submit herself to another round of scrutiny.
“How can you force her to attend if she is sick? They can use Zoom to check on her condition. (An arrest warrant is) the option of the Senate. I already explained to Mayor Alice the consequences (if she does not attend). It will be her call,” David said.
“It is traumatic for her. She always cries. She complained about why they are doing this to her. ‘I did not kill any person. I did not steal from the government. I did not hurt anyone,’” he said, quoting Guo.
This is despite the subpoena issued by Senators Sherwin Gatchallian and Risa Hontiveros as well as stern warnings that she might be cited in contempt and face arrest if she continues to deny her appearance in the probe.
No longer seen in farm
Furthermore, she has not been seen in her farm for several weeks now, according to the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) in a report submitted to Hontiveros dated July 4, citing information gained from the city chief’s helper.
Apart from the mayor, subpoenas were also released to her family members: Ms. Cheila Leal Guo, Mr. Wesley Leal Guo and Mr. Jian Zhang Guo at their address in Barangay Virgen Delos Remedios, Bamban, Tarlac.
“According to a helper in the farm, Mayor Guo has not gone to the farm for several weeks now and he has no idea of her whereabouts,” the OSAA report read.
“Furthermore, he stated that he does not know siblings Sheila, Wesley, and Jian, hence, he refused to receive the subpoena,” it also said.
David said Guo no longer wants to stay in Bamban because of drones spotted in the area.
“Since the start of the Senate investigation, drones were reportedly seen (in Bamban). Personally, I did not witness it but she does not want to stay in the area,” he added.
Guo sure to face arrest
Gatchallian assured that Guo will be cited in contempt and face arrest if she fails to appear at the hearing on July 10.
“The Senate can issue an arrest warrant to arrest her because she violated the subpoena and she has been cited in contempt,” he said in an interview.
Guo already missed the June 26 hearing before the Senate committee on women and children presided by Hontiveros.
