Shiela Guo and Senator Risa Hontiveros — File photo from RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — At least two disappointed senators took turns in grilling Shiela Guo on Thursday, pressing her to disclose the full truth surrounding dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
The lawmakers warned Shiela that she will face up to 1,218 years in prison as penalty, given the gravity of existing money laundering cases filed against her.
READ: Shiela Guo faces Senate probe into Alice Guo’s escape
At the Senate sub-committee on justice’s hearing, panel head Sen. Risa Hontiveros posed a warning to Shiela who was earlier identified to be the dismissed mayor’s sister.
“Shiela, isipin mo lahat ng sinasabi namin sa inyo habang tumatakbo pa ang hearing na ito at magkonsulta ka sa abogado mo, dahil yung sinabi ng Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) na posibleng i-sentensya sa inyo ay mula 609 years hanggang 1,218 years. Lampas lampas sa lifetime ng isang tao,” said Hontiveros.
(Shiela, think about all that we are saying to you while the hearing is still ongoing and you consult your lawyer, because what the Anti-Money Laundering Council is saying is that the possible sentence to you is from 609 years to 1,218 years – more than a person’s lifetime.)
The opposition senator was pertaining to AMLC’s disclosure that Alice, Shiela and their cohorts are facing 87 counts of money laundering cases.
According to AMLC Investigating and Enforcement Department Deputy Director Adrian Arpon, each count is equivalent to a minimum of seven years of imprisonment and a maximum of 14 years.
“So, isipin nyong mabuti kung worth it na patuloy na hindi magsabi ng totoo,” Hontiveros emphasized.
(So, think of it thoroughly if it’s worth it to tell lies.)
Hontiveros raised her warning after Shiela repeatedly denied having knowledge about documents presented during the hearing.
One of these papers was a certificate from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), bearing her name as the owner of Alisel Aqua Farm in Baquioden, Sual, Pangasinan.
“Ito po ay dokumento ng DTI certifying na ang Alisel Aqua Farm sa Barangay Baquioden, Sual, Pangasinan ay naka-register sa inyo. Issued sa inyo ang certificate,” she said.
(This is a DTI document certifying that Alisel Aqua Farm in Barangay Baquioden, Sual, Pangasinan was registered to you. The certificate was issued to you.)
“Nakikita ko ang paa nyo. Medyo ninenerbyos kayo. Magre-relax po kayo kung magsabi kayo ng totoo sa amin. May alam ba kayo dito sa Alisel Aqua Farm?” asked Hontiveros.
(I see your foot. You are a bit nervous. You will relax if you will tell us the truth. Do you know anything about Alisel Aqua Farm?)
“Hindi ko po talaga alam po,” Shiela answered.
(I really don’t know.)
Hontiveros proceeded to ask Shiela how come her name was listed as the owner of the business, to which Shiela answered: “Baka ginamit lang po ang pangalan ko po.”
(Maybe my name was just used.)
This response did not sit well with Hontiveros who insisted that based on existing records, it shows that Shiela is really “familiar” with Pangasinan.
“O kaya ginagamit yung pangalan ko na pang business lang po. Hindi ko alam,” said Shiela.
(Or maybe my name was just used for business. I don’t know.)
At this point, Hontiveros asked if she’s aware that her name is used for such a business. Shiela only answered, “maybe.”
Another document presented during the hearing was an identification card.
“May isa pa akong ipapakitang dokumento. May ganito kayo. Pwede nyo bang ipaliwanag ito?
(I will show you another document. You have this. Can you explain this?)
“May ipapakita akong ID nyo sa Sual. Ito ang ID nyo — municipality of Sual. Account insurance membership — Shiela Leal Guo. Pwede nyo bang i-explain ang ID nyo na yan?” said Hontiveros.
(I will show you your ID in Sual. This is your ID – municipality of Sual. Account insurance membership — Shiela Leal Guo. Could you please explain that ID?)
“Sorry po. Hindi ko po alam,” answered Shiela.
(I’m sorry. I don’t know.)
“Hindi mo alam? ID na inisyu sa inyo sa pangalan nyo at photo nyo ang nakalagay,” Hontiveros further pressed, but Shiela only insisted that she is not aware of the existence of such an ID.
(You don’t know? The ID that was issued in your name and your photo was placed there.)
Later into the hearing, Sen. Joel Villanueva interjected. Like Hontiveros, Villanueva opted to raise his concern about Shiela’s supposed lies.
“[A]ng aking human discernment na makita kung ang isang tao ay nagsisinungaling o hindi, kung ang isang tao ay may tinatagong impormasyon…. Klarong klaro, Shiela. Klarong klaro na may tinatago ka,” said Villanueva.
(My human discernment to see if there is a person who is lying or not… if a person is hiding information. It is very, very clear, Shiela. It is very clear that you are hiding something.)
“Gusto lang naming ipaalala sa ‘yo yung 87 counts. Isang kaso mo lang ‘yun. Napakarami pa na susunod. Gusto ko namin tulungan kung magsasabi ka ng totoo,” he emphasized.
(We just want to remind you those 87 counts. That is just your one case. A lot will still follow. We want to help you if you will tell the truth.)
He proceeded to question Shiela’s earlier testimonies — particularly the narrative that she fled the country with Alice and Wesley Guo via multiple boats to Malaysia.
“I am so disappointed na ayaw pa ring magsabi ni Ms. Shiela ng totoo. Hindi ko alam kung mahal mo pa ang sarili mo. Magtira ka ng pagmamahal sa sarili mo. You owe it yourself na magsabi ka ng katotohanan,” said Villanueva during the proceeding.
(I am so disappointed that Ms. Shiela still does not want to tell the truth. I do not know if you still love yourself. Leave some love for yourself. You owe it to yourself to tell the truth.)
He then insisted that Shiela would not be able to leave the country as easily as that, without being facilitated by some persons.