MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros has issued a stern warning to Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, emphasizing the need for her attendance at the Senate committee on women’s hearing regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Hontiveros stated that failure to comply could result in Guo being cited for contempt.
This warning came during a press conference on Friday, following Mayor Guo’s absence from the panel’s inquiry on June 26, which she attributed to stress and illness.
“Dahil sa tingin niya hindi siya fit maging resource person, for sure, in the mind of the committee, fit na fit siya. At isa siya sa pinaka-importanteng dapat humarap, lalo na sa mga issue ng identity at citizenship,” said Hontiveros.
(“Because she thinks she is not fit to be a resource person, for sure, in the mind of the committee, she is very fit. And she is one of the most important people to face the probe, especially amid issues on her identity and citizenship.”)
Senator Hontiveros also highlighted the potential repercussions if Mayor Guo continued to avoid the hearings.
“Sinubpoena ko na siya at ang ilan pang mga tao, ‘yung mga kinikilalang magulang niya at yung mga kapatid niya. Kapag hindi honor ni Mayor Alice Guo, pati ‘yung subpoena, and I warned her of this already, I will cite her in contempt,” Hontiveros said.
(“I have subpoenaed her and some other people, those who are recognized as her parents and siblings. If Mayor Alice Guo does not honor this, even the subpoena, and I warned her of this already, I will cite her in contempt.”)
Addressing claims of mental health issues cited by the mayor, Hontiveros dismissed them, suggesting that the stress might stem from potential deception.
“I think Sen. Sherwin also said it very well, lying is more stressful, telling lies is more stressful. If she wants now, and in the long term, to address the mental health concerns she cites, the first and biggest step she can take, even for her own sake, is to come forward and finally tell the truth,” Hontiveros added in a mix of English and Filipino.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently confirmed that Alice Guo possessed a fake Filipino identity. An investigation revealed that the mayor’s fingerprints matched those of Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese passport holder.
Mayor Guo has been under scrutiny due to her alleged ties to illegal POGO operations in Bamban. The ongoing investigation seeks to address these concerns and bring clarity to the mayor’s involvement and identity.