By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Senate has cited suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo in contempt and ordered her arrest after she failed to attend the hearing on the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“The chair rules to cite in contempt Alice Guo, or Guo Hua Ping, for her to issue a warrant of arrest as moved by the Senate President Pro Tempore,” Senator Risa Hontiveros stated during the hearing of the committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality.
“The chair has ruled to cite them [for] contempt. Pagkatapos ng hearing, susulatan ng chair ang Senate President. Once i-affix ng Senate President yung citing [for] contempt ng chair, in effect, mase-set in motion na ‘yung pag-issue ng warrant of arrest,” Hontiveros added.
Others who have been cited for contempt include:
Nancy J. Gamo
Dennis Cunanan
Wenyi Lin
Seimen L. Guo
Jian Zhong Guo
Wesley Guo
Sheila Guo
Senate President Chiz Escudero previously stated that he is committed to signing the motion once the committee seeks her arrest.
Meanwhile, Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada described the letter of explanation as “totally unacceptable.”
“This letter of explanation is unacceptable. Therefore, I move that we issue a warrant of arrest for Mayor Guo to ensure her attendance at the next hearing,” he said.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that as of Tuesday, Guo has not left the country and added that airports and subports have been alerted in case she attempts to leave.
(el Amigo/mnm)
