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Contempt vs Alice Guo, 7 others; orders arrest
By Nidz Godino
"We do not want to set precedence where mental health is invoked to skirt obligation to appear before Senate committee," Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of Senate women's committee, ruled to cite suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and seven others in contempt for their failure to attend committee inquiry into criminal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Contempt is upon separate motions of Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
Hontiveros and other senators find her claims in her letter "devoid of credibility."
Hontiveros also ruled to issue warrant of arrest against Guo, would still need to be signed by Senate president before it takes effect.
Estrada moved to cite Guo in contempt after saying he found her letter explaining her absence due to mental health issues "unacceptable."
Besides Guo, these are individuals who were cited in contempt for skipping hearing:
- Nancy J. Gamo
- Dennis Cunanan
- Wenyi Lin
- Seimen Leal Guo
- Jian Zhong Guo
- Wesley Guo
- Sheila Leal Guo
In letter Guo's camp sent to Senate suspended Bamban mayor is not "physically and mentally fit" to attend Senate hearing. She has been "subject of malicious accusations" and targeted with death threats, causing her to seek professional help.
Guo could not find medical professional to issue her medical certificate because they "fear they may also experience humiliation and ridicule I am going through."
Hontiveros said while panel recognizes importance of mental health, Guo is being compelled to testify due to gravity of accusations against her.
Senate can also arrange for government doctor to attend to Guo, if requested, the senator stressed.
Gatchalian considers absence of invited resource speakers as "sign of guilt" as this is already committee's fourth hearing into POGO hubs' illegal activities.
"Not attending hearing will be their loss because it removes opportunity for them to explain their side, sign that they have something they do not want to reveal or that they have something to hide, " Gatchalian said.
Escudero vowed to sign arrest warrant against Guo if issued by Hontiveros, reminding Guo and her legal camp that subpoena issued against her requires her to face senators out of "compulsion of law."
Guo did not attend previous hearing on June 26 due to what her legal counsel said was health reasons, took place less than a week after she was charged with qualified human trafficking before Department of Justice.
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