May 22 2024. Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo appears before the Senate as Sen. Risa Hontiveros flagged Guo’s alleged ties to Chinese “criminals” during Wednesday’s continuation of the Senate probe into the mayor’s links to POGO hubs in the latter’s area. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo has apologized to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero over her earlier remarks against some senators.
“Nais ko pong humingi ng paumanhin kung nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan kaugnay nga aking mga naging pahayag. Wala po akong intensyon na pagsabihan o diktahan ang Senado kung ano ang mga dapat bigyang prayoridad,” Guo wrote in her letter to Escudero dated July 22.
(I would like to apologize if there has been any misunderstanding regarding my statements. I did not intend to dictate or instruct the Senate on what it should prioritize.)
“Nauunawaan ko po na ang bawat mambabatas ay may sariling tungkulin at responsibilidad sa bayan. Ang aking layunin lamang po ay magbigay ng suhestyon base sa mga problemang nararanasan ng aking mga kababayan sa Bamban,” she added.
(I understand that each lawmaker has their own duties and responsibilities to the nation. My intention is simply to provide suggestions based on the issues experienced by my fellow citizens in Bamban.)
In a statement last week, Guo questioned why Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, and other offices “seem fixated” on her.
The suspended mayor urged the two senators to direct their attention to “many critical issues” confronting the country instead of focusing on her.
But her statement did not sit well with Escudero, saying Guo was not in a position to dictate to any senator.
READ: Alice Guo denies involvement in Pogos, calls for ‘focus on facts’
In the same letter, Guo also asked the Senate leadership to help her constituents, saying her suspension prevented her from performing her duties.
“Dahil dito, humihiling po ako ng inyong tulong at pang-unawa. Umaasa po akong sa inyong pamumuno, hindi pababayaan ang aking mga kababayan an nangangailangan ng suporta ng pamahalaan,” she said.
(Because of this, I am requesting your help and understanding. I am hopeful that under your leadership, you will not neglect my fellow countrymen who are in need of government support)
“Muli, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin kung nagdulot man ng anumang hindi pagkakaunawaan ang aking mg naging pahayag. Hinihiling ko po ang inyong pang-unawa sa mga panahong ito,” she added.
(Again, I apologize if my statements have caused any misunderstanding. I am asking for your understanding during these times.)
Guo also reiterated her readiness to face all charges against her lodged in various offices of government like the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
READ: Alice Guo ordered suspended as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac
The charges against her stemmed from her alleged ties to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators.