MANILA (UPDATED) — Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo skipped the resumption of the Senate inquiry into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) on Wednesday. 

According to Guo’s lawyer Stephen David, Guo is sick. 

“Sick and stressed. Next hearing pa siguro makaka-attend. Nagpa-excuse siya today,” David said in a mesage. 

(Sick and stressed. She might be able to attend the next hearing. She asked to be excused today.) 

In a letter to the committee, Guo begged off from the proceedings saying she is not fit to appear as a resource person, citing her “exposure to prolonged stress and high level of anxiety” because of the allegations linked to the POGO hub in Bamban.

Guo also cited pending proceedings at the Court of Appeals on the Ombudsman’s order to put her on preventive suspension, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the criminal complaints filed against her by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

“More importantly, I have been exposed to public ridicule, humiliation and hatred for several months now, tarnishing my public image, character and reputation,” she also said. 

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is investigating Guo’s possible connection to illegal POGOs in her town. 

RELATED:  Immigration told to be on lookout for Alice Guo, 13 others — DOJ

It will also look into Lucky South 99, the illegal hub in Porac, Pampanga with Porac Mayor Jaime Capil in attendance. 

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has linked Guo to a criminal syndicate running the illegal POGOs in Bamban and Porac. Guo’s camp has denied this. 

Before the public hearing, senators led by committee chair Risa Hontiveros, held an executive session with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC)

.READ: Guo camp to file CA petition vs Ombudsman suspension

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