Lawyer of Alice Guo Denies ‘Lying’ About Ex-Mayor’s Whereabouts
STEPHEN DAVID – The lawyer of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo defended himself against accusations of lying when he claimed that his client was still in the Philippines.
On August 19, David asserted that Guo had not left the country, despite reports indicating that she had been in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, since July 18. David explained that he had spoken to Guo when the news broke and asked her if she had left the Philippines, to which she responded that she had not.
“Kanina no’ng pumutok ‘yang Balita, tinawagan ko siya [Guo]. Sabi ko, ‘hinahanap ka na naman dito. Nasaan ka ba? Nakalabas ka na ba ng Pilipinas?’ Sabi niya, hindi,” Guo’s lawyer said.
On Friday, August 30, David reiterated that he did not lie, stating that he relied on the information provided by his client in good faith. He emphasized that he trusted the accuracy and honesty of the details shared with him by Guo. David also stressed the importance of transparency and forthrightness from his clients, noting that he upholds attorney-client privilege and maintains trust in his clients as part of their fiduciary relationship.
“I relied on our client’s representations and disclosures in good faith, trusting in the accuracy and honesty of the information provided,” the lawyer said. “I have always reminded clients to be fully transparent and forthright in all disclosures…Consistent with my high respect for attorney-client privilege and our fiduciary relationship, I ensure fidelity to my clients and repose my trust in them,” he added.
The controversy surrounding Guo escalated when, on August 22, her sister, Sheila Guo, and her friend, Cassandra Li Ong, were apprehended by authorities in Indonesia. They were returned to the Philippines on the same day. During a Senate hearing on August 27, Sheila detailed the various means of transportation used by her, Alice Guo, and their other sibling, Wesley Guo, to leave the Philippines.