Alice Guo —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines— Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is not about to give in to suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s requests until she shows up in the Senate and follows its rules.
The Senate has ordered Guo’s arrest following her continued failure to face its probe into the illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
“Bagaman nauunawaan ko yung pang-unawang hinihingi niya, hanggat hindi siya nagpapakita at sumusunod sa Senado ay hindi ko matatanggap ang anumang pakiusap na hinihiling niya dun sa kanyang liham kaugnay hindi lamang sa pag-unawa pero para matulungan din ang kanyang mga kababayaan, dahil meron namang pumalit sa kanya na vice mayor para ipagpatuloy ang trabaho ng pamahalaan sa Bamban,” Escudero said in an interview at the Senate on Tuesday.
(Although I understand the understanding she is asking for, until she shows up and follows the Senate’s rules, I cannot accept any request made in her letter not only for understanding but also to help her constituents, because there is a vice mayor who has taken her place to continue the government’s work in Bamban.)
Escudero was referring to Guo’s letter to him dated July 22.
READ: Alice Guo says sorry to Escudero: No intention to dictate on Senate
In the letter, Guo apologized to Escudero as she earlier questioned why Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, and other offices “seem fixated” on her instead of focusing on “many critical issues” facing the country.
Guo also appealed to the Senate leadership to help her constituents as she could not fulfill her duties while she is suspended.
The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Guo due to the charges lodged against her over her alleged ties to an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator in Bamban. She has repeatedly denied the allegation.
READ: Alice Guo ordered suspended as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac
For Escudero, Guo should face the Senate so the warrant of arrest against her could be lifted.
“Sana payuhan siya ng tama ng kanyang mga abogado na humarap at tapusin na itong yugto na ito sa parte ng Senado para maka-focus at maka-concentrate na siya sa mga kasong kinakahatrap niya sa DOJ (Department of Justice), sa Solgen (Solicitor General at sa Sandiganbayan,” he said.
(She should be properly advised by her lawyers to face and conclude this chapter in the Senate so that she can focus and concentrate on the cases she is facing at the DOJ, with he Solicitor General, and at the Sandiganbayan.)
Escudero reiterated that the Senate could guarantee Guo’s safety should she decide to participate in the probe.
“Titiyakin namin ang kanyang seguridad at matapos nyang mag-attend at matiyak yung kanyang pagdalo, puwede ng i-lift yung kanyang contempt at kanyang warrant of arrest. Yun naman ang aming igagarantiya sa kanya,” he said.
(We will ensure her security, and once she attends and confirms her attendance, we can lift her contempt and warrant of arrest. That’s our guarantee to her.)