MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros claimed on Monday that Alice Guo, the ousted mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, has already left the country. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) disputed this claim.
During a Senate session, Hontiveros alleged that Guo traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 18. The senator presented evidence showing Guo’s alleged arrival in Malaysia, followed by her travels to Singapore, where she reportedly met with her father, mother, and brother Wesley, who flew in from China.
“Who allowed this travesty to happen? Sino ang may kagagawan nito? Hindi makakaalis si Alice Guo kung walang tumulong sa kanya na mga opisyales ng pamahalaan. Para tayong ginisa sa sarili nating mantika,” Hontiveros said.
According to ABS-CBN News government sources, Guo allegedly used a Philippine passport when she left Manila on July 18, 2024, aboard a Batik Air flight and arrived in Kuala Lumpur that same day.
On July 21, Guo reportedly boarded a Jetstar Asia Airways flight to Singapore, where she remained until August 18, when she took a ferry to Riau, Indonesia.
Despite these claims, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty asserted, “As far as we know, Mayor Guo is still in the country.”
“There has been no report to us of an attempted departure from the Bureau of Immigration,” Ty added.
He also noted that Guo filed a motion regarding her case with the DOJ last Friday and submitted a counter affidavit notarized in the Philippines on August 14.
“There have been reported sightings from law enforcement agencies after July 18, 2024,” Ty said.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano emphasized that they are working with the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation to gather further information.
“This is a case of national significance. If it is indeed true that Alice Guo has left the country, a thorough investigation is necessary to hold those responsible accountable. This is not a light matter,” Clavano remarked.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra stated that he had “no info” on Guo’s current whereabouts but assured that the legal cases against her would proceed regardless of her location.
“The court can still acquire jurisdiction over her through service of process by publication,” Guevarra explained.
The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has also sought official information on Guo’s whereabouts from authorities in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Guo’s lawyer, Atty. Stephen David, insisted that Guo is still in the Philippines.
“Tinawagan ko siya…sabi ko nakalabas ka na ba ng Pilipinas? Sabi niya, hindi. Kasi sabi ko gusto ko malaman kung nandito ka pa para ‘yung legal strategy ko maayos ko,” David told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Monday.
David added that if Guo had left, they would explore legal options in a country that offers political asylum.
“If you’re no longer in the Philippines, we have other options,” David stated.
Senator Raffy Tulfo suggested that Guo might have used a private plane to evade detection.
“When you’re a passenger on a chartered plane, you don’t go through the normal process; you bypass immigration. You go straight to the gate, get into your limousine or SUV, and head directly to the tarmac,” Tulfo explained.
Senator Grace Poe urged aviation authorities to review their records to confirm Guo’s departure.
“We should have a master list of all international departures, whether on private or commercial flights,” Poe suggested.
Hontiveros added that no CCTV footage captured Guo’s exit.
“Hindi po na-capture ang image nya sa CCTV. So dumaan o idinaan sya sa spot na hindi mahuhuli yugn video image nya,” Hontiveros remarked.