The Senate has issued an arrest order for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo due to contempt for her failure to attend the June 26 and July 10 hearings of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality. These hearings are investigating unlicensed Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators and Guo’s alleged involvement in them.
The order, signed by committee chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on July 11, was made public on Saturday morning. The order also identifies Guo as “Guo Hua Ping,” the Chinese national whom the National Bureau of Investigation has confirmed has the same fingerprints as Guo.
“The issuance of the arrest order is only the first step to making Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping accountable… This arrest order upholds the mandate of the Senate to safeguard the well-being of Filipinos,” stated panel chair Hontiveros.
Guo had missed the previous two hearings, citing medical unfitness and stress from prior sessions. Her lawyers have petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent the Senate from summoning her to future hearings, arguing that the issues raised are already under investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
The order directs the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest and detain Guo “until such time that she will appear and testify in the committee, or otherwise purges herself of that contempt.”
Similar arrest orders have been issued for Guo’s father, Jian Zhong Guo, her siblings—Sheila, Wesley, and Seimen—Guo’s alleged real mother Wen Yi Lin, former accountant Nancy Gamo, and graft convict Dennis Cunanan, who supposedly represented the Bamban POGO.
In a message on ANC’s “Dateline,” Guo’s lawyer Stephen David stated they are “always aware of the consequences of her failure to attend the Senate hearings,” but emphasized that his client is currently unable to attend due to her physical and mental health condition, exacerbated by cyberbullying and humiliation.
David mentioned that Guo might attend future hearings if her condition improves.