Screenshot from Senate of the Philippines/YOUTUBE
MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday confronted dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for lying before the ongoing Senate committee on women’s investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
Guo, who was arrested last week in Jakarta on September 4, faced the committee, investigating her alleged ties to Pogos.
At the start of the hearing, panel head and Sen. Rosa Hontiveros noted that the former mayor previously introduced herself to the committee as Alice Guo but only to find out later that she is a Chinese national, named Guo Hua Ping.
READ: Alice Guo – in bulletproof vest – appears at Senate for Pogo probe
“Ibig sabihin humarap siya sa atın sa Senado ay tahasang nagsinungaling. Ibig sabihin humarap siya sa mamamayan ng Bamban at tahasang nagsinungaling,” Hontiveros said in her opening statement.
(This means that when she appeared before us in the Senate, she was outright lying. It means that when she faced the people of Bamban, she was outright lying.)
“Kahit anong pagpapa-cute niya, hindi matatanggal ang katotohanang ito. This is why iyong tila celebrity treatment sa kanya ay di katanggap-tanggap. Wag po tayong papabola. Wag po tayo magpauto,” the senator added.
(No matter how much she tries to act cute, it won’t change the truth. This is why the apparent celebrity treatment she is receiving is unacceptable. Let’s not be deceived. Let’s not be fooled.)
Before giving his own opening statement, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada requested the former mayor to remove her face mask to ensure that she is Alice Guo.
READ: Alice Guo turns to Bible, ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ while in detention
And when Guo complied with the request, Jinggoy said: “Sya nga.”
Estrada then proceeded with his opening statement, asking how the mayor was after returning to the Philippines.
Guo fled the country days after she was ordered arrested by the Senate for failure to attend its past hearings.
“Ms Alice Guo Kumusta ka na? Kumusta ang pagbabalik mo Pilipinas mo?” Estrada asked.
(Ms. Alice Guo, how are you? How was your return to the Philippines?)
“Magandang umaga po Sen. Okay naman po (Good morning, Senator. I’m doing well),” Guo answered.
Estrada went on to note how the former mayor was all smiles and even posed with a peace sign when she was repatriated back to the Philippines.
The senator reiterated his dismay, particularly with the personnel of the NBI and the Bureau of Immigration who were captured posing for photos with Guo.
“Alice Guo, sino ka ba talaga? Alam na naming lahat—through the hearings conducted by this Committee—na hindi ka Pilipino,” Estrada asked.
(Alice Guo, who are you really? We all know—through the hearings conducted by this Committee—that you are not Filipino.)
“At the two Senate hearings that you were present, you were under oath, but you fearlessly fabricated stories and fed the Filipinos a pack of lies,” he added.
Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, chided Guo for disrespecting the government when she fled the country.
“Alice, binastos mo at binalahura mo ang buong gobyerno, ang buong sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit noong nahuli ka ay parang walang wala sa’yo. Na-offend po kami,” Villanueva said.
(Alice, you have disrespected and insulted the entire government and the Filipino people. I don’t understand why, when you were caught, it seemed like it meant nothing to you. We are offended)
“Hindi ko alam pero parang ang turing mo sa amin ay “kaaway” na. Pero sa totoo lang, kung magsasabi ka ng totoo, kami dito sa Senado ang totoong kakampi mo,” he said.
(I don’t know, but it seems like you view us as ‘enemies.’ But in truth, if you tell the truth, we here in the Senate are your real allies.)
Villanueva also reminded Guo that the Senate is not a “circus” and her attendance in this Monday’s hearing should be her last chance to tell the truth.