A mug shot of Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, released on, September 6, 2024. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Benhur Abalos
MANILA, Philippines — A Pasig court allowed dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo (real name: Guo Hua Ping) to attend the Oct. 8 Senate inquiry into the issues on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 Presiding Judge Annielyn Medes-Cabelis issued the order after receiving two letters of request from the Senate to allow Guo and other accused to attend the Senate hearing.
The other personalities were Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Thelma Barrogo Laranan, Rita Sapnu Yturralde, Rowena Evangelista, and Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon.
“The two requests are granted considering that the Senate of the Philippines is a co-equal branch of the judiciary and the subject inquiry is in aid of legislation,” the order read.
The court also allowed the counsel of all six accused to assist their clients during the hearing.
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It also directed Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory officer-in-charge Jocelyn Riño “to adopt adequate measures to ensure the security and safety of these six accused in relation to their attendance at the Senate public hearing.”
Asked why the five other personalities were also invited to the hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros tagged them as Guo’s “co-incorporators” in the Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac who could “help expose the real minds” behind the crimes in the compound.
“These personalities are listed as co-incorporators in the Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac,” said Hontiveros who chairs the Senate committee on women.
“They have already surrendered to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and their presence in the Senate hearing can help expose the real minds behind the crimes happening in the scam compound,” she added.
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The Senate is investigating Guo due to her links to illegal Pogo operations in Bamban, Tarlac.
She is also facing charges for graft, qualified human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion.