Senate Orders Arrest of Alice Guo and Others
ALICE GUO – The Senate has issued an arrest order against the suspended mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, for repeatedly failing to attend the investigation into the raided POGO hub in her town.
This order, dated July 11, was issued by Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality chairperson Senator Risa Hontiveros and approved by Senate President Francis Escudero.
Mayor Alice Guo, also known as “Guo Hua Ping,” was found in contempt for missing the June 26 and July 10 hearings concerning unlicensed Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGO) and her alleged involvement. Despite her claims of being medically unfit due to stress and trauma from previous hearings, the Senate remained firm on the need for her attendance.
Her lawyers have sought intervention from the Supreme Court to prevent further Senate summons, arguing that the issues are already being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
The arrest order, signed by Senate President Francis Escudero and made public on a Saturday morning, directs the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to detain Guo until she appears and testifies before the committee or purges herself of contempt. The Senate also issued similar orders against her father, Jian Zhong Guo; her siblings, Sheila, Wesley, and Seimen; her alleged biological mother, Wen Yi Lin; former accountant Nancy Gamo; and graft convict Dennis Cunanan, who reportedly represented the Bamban POGO.
The Senate’s firm stance underscores the seriousness of the investigation into the POGO operations and the importance of compliance with Senate hearings. Guo’s arrest is a significant step in addressing the issues surrounding unlicensed gaming operators and ensuring accountability for those involved.
As of press time, the camp of Alice Guo has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest order against her by the Senate.