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HEADLINES
Guo surfaces Facebook
By Nidz Godino
"I categorically deny any involvement in the death threats received by Sen. Win Gatchalian… I have no capacity, much less intent, to cause any harm against anyone…in fact, I myself have been receiving actual and online threats since start of this issue," suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac said on Facebook where she has more than 100,000 followers.
Her whereabouts unknown since being ordered arrested by Senate, she appeared on Facebook (Meta) to deny she was behind alleged plot to assassinate Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros, who are leading investigation on her possible links to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
In post shared by her legal counsel Stephen David, Guo also defended her decision not to appear before Senate committee on women, children, family and gender equality chaired by Hontiveros, saying her health and peace of mind are her priority.
"I am well-aware of feeling of receiving threats against my person, safety and security…thus, I strongly condemn such inhumane or callous acts," Guo said.
Her counsel David is in Europe.
She said last two Senate hearings she attended left her severely exhausted and traumatized.
"My primary priority now is my health and peace of mind, so that I can properly address all legal issues directed at me," Guo maintained.
Suspended mayor does not wish to be used by anyone to boost his or her political ambitions. "Our country faces many critical issues such as national security, poverty, unemployment, food shortage, health care delivery, environmental degradation and human rights violations… I appeal to them to focus their attention on these problems instead of continuously threatening me with arrest and accusing me of being complicit in various Philippine offshore gaming operations-related crimes, untrue and unfounded,..am I really country's biggest problem that they need to focus on…or is it just because they are gaining popularity at my expense that they will not leave me alone," she said.
Guo assured public and senators that she does not pose any threat to them or to anyone.
"While multiple open cases have been filed against me, I am deeply concerned about and keep questioning why Senator Win Gatchalian, Senator Risa Hontiveros and other offices seem fixated on me…if they have evidence against me, I am ready to face them in fair trial and at proper forum… I believe in and adhere to rule of law, and not rule of men,." she pointed out.
She stressed that news linking her to various illegal activities is baseless. "I have nothing to do with these issues, but I am being accused of all sorts of things because I am currently at the center of public attention,If anyone can disregard my right to data privacy by prying into my personal records, they will know whether I have left Philippines by simply asking Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs as I do not hold Chinese passport"I appeal to everyone to focus on facts and not on mere opinions," suspended mayor said.
Hontiveros bristled at Guo's claim tSenate seems fixated on her in its investigation on POGOs.
"Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping, you have more time for your Facebook posts than your actual attendance at Senate. Attendance before Senate hearings is adherence to rule of law…how can you have peace of mind when you are avoiding our questions…don't worry, we are not fixated on you….we are allergic to liars," Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros accused Guo of lying about her Filipino identity, when she is in fact full-blooded Chinese with alleged links to syndicate behind illegal offshore gaming operations in Bamban, Tarlac.
Guo turned blind eye on human trafficking and digital scams perpetrated by POGO proliferated during her time as mayor, Hontiveros said.
In statement Gatchalian lauded business community for supporting senators' position to ban POGOs.
"I am delighted to learn that major business groups in the country support our advocacy to ban POGOs in the country in line with position taken by our economic managers," Gatchalian said.
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