FILE PHOTO: Senator Risa Hontiveros answers queries from PDI officers and staff during a round table interview at PDI office, March 3,2020. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines —Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the issuance of the arrest order against suspended Tarlac town Mayor Alice Guo and seven others “upholds the mandate of the Senate to safeguard the well-being of Filipinos.”
In a statement, Hontiveros explained that “the issuance of the arrest order is only the first step to making Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping accountable to our laws.”
“Sa dami ng kasinungalingan at posibleng krimen ni Mayor Alice at ng lahat ng sangkot sa Pogo, this is not merely procedural. This arrest order upholds the mandate of the Senate to safeguard the well-being of Filipinos,” she said in a statement Saturday.
(Of all the lies and possible crimes of Mayor Alice and all involved in Pogo, this is not merely procedural. This arrest order upholds the mandate of the Senate to safeguard the well-being of Filipinos.)
Earlier on Saturday, Hontiveros’ office shared copies of the arrest orders with members of the media.
READ: Arrest Alice Guo, others – Senate
Based on the arrest order for Guo, her refusal to appear before the Senate “delayed, impeded, and obstructed” the investigation of reported human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture in the premises of an internet gaming licensee of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation.
The Senate committee on women chaired by Hontiveros has been probing into illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). During the inquiries, Guo’s name has been linked to a raided Pogo in Bamban town where she is the local chief executive.
Hontiveros and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero signed the eight arrest orders for Guo, her family members Sheila Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, and Seimen Guo, her suspected mother Wen Yi Lin, her accountant Nancy Gamo, and alleged authorized representative of Pogos Dennis Cunanan.
READ: Gatchalian: 36 Alice Guo accounts financed illegal Pogo
“Patuloy naming hinihintay sa Senado ang kanyang pagdalo sa susunod na hearing, kasama na ang lahat ng taong nasa listahan na cited in contempt,” the senator said.
(We continuously wait in Senate for her to attend the next hearing, together with all others in the list who were cited for contempt.)
“Magpakita na kayo. Hindi mabubura ng inyong pagtatago ang katotohanan,” she added.
(Show up already. Your hiding will not conceal the truth.)
Guo and others did not attend the July 10 hearing – despite due notices – of the Senate committee on women. Guo’s lawyer, Atty. Stephen David, said his client was “traumatized” after facing scrutiny on her alleged ties to Zun Yuan Technology Inc., the raided Pogo in Bamban, Tarlac.