Hontiveros wants DFA to cancel Guo's PH passport 'immediately' | ABS-CBN
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Hontiveros wants DFA to cancel Guo's PH passport 'immediately'
Hontiveros wants DFA to cancel Guo's PH passport 'immediately'
Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in a Senate hearing in Pasay City on May 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in a Senate hearing in Pasay City on May 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately cancel Alice Guo's Philippine passport, which she allegedly used to escape the country amid her mounting criminal cases.
MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately cancel Alice Guo's Philippine passport, which she allegedly used to escape the country amid her mounting criminal cases.
In previous cases, the cancellation of a passport of an individual facing local cases required court ruling.
In previous cases, the cancellation of a passport of an individual facing local cases required court ruling.
“Ang kapal din talaga ng mukha ng pekeng Pilipino na ito. Ginamit pa ang pasaporte ng Pilipinas para tumakas. Her passport should be made null and void immediately,” Hontiveros said.
“Ang kapal din talaga ng mukha ng pekeng Pilipino na ito. Ginamit pa ang pasaporte ng Pilipinas para tumakas. Her passport should be made null and void immediately,” Hontiveros said.
“Cancelling her passport will limit her travels. Mas madali siya matutuntun kapag hindi siya gala nang gala. And besides, she does not have the right to use a Philippine passport in the first place,” the senator added, referring to Guo's alleged Chinese nationality.
“Cancelling her passport will limit her travels. Mas madali siya matutuntun kapag hindi siya gala nang gala. And besides, she does not have the right to use a Philippine passport in the first place,” the senator added, referring to Guo's alleged Chinese nationality.
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Hontiveros on Monday revealed that the former mayor, who was accused of facilitating the operation of an illegal POGO hub, had fled the Philippines as early as last month.
Hontiveros on Monday revealed that the former mayor, who was accused of facilitating the operation of an illegal POGO hub, had fled the Philippines as early as last month.
The Bureau of Immigration said it received intelligence information that Guo left the country "illegally" without passing through Immigration authorities.
The Bureau of Immigration said it received intelligence information that Guo left the country "illegally" without passing through Immigration authorities.
CANCELLING PASSORT NOT AN EASY PROCESS
Hontiveros lamented that authorities should have moved to cancel Guo's Philippine passport as soon as her questionable identity was uncovered.
Hontiveros lamented that authorities should have moved to cancel Guo's Philippine passport as soon as her questionable identity was uncovered.
“Dapat nung nakumpirma na pineke ang kanyang pagka-Pilipino, kinansela na agad ang pasaporte niya. Sana naisagawa na ito ng ating mga ahensya. The failure to apprehend Alice Guo only shows the lack of better interagency coordination,” the senator said.
“Dapat nung nakumpirma na pineke ang kanyang pagka-Pilipino, kinansela na agad ang pasaporte niya. Sana naisagawa na ito ng ating mga ahensya. The failure to apprehend Alice Guo only shows the lack of better interagency coordination,” the senator said.
Guo's birth certificate, which is now under question, was the basis for the issuance of her Philippine passport.
Guo's birth certificate, which is now under question, was the basis for the issuance of her Philippine passport.
According to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, it was unfortunate that the legal process for such takes a while as it goes through the courts.
According to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, it was unfortunate that the legal process for such takes a while as it goes through the courts.
"Unfortunately it's a long process. The issuance of her passport was based on her birth certificate, and in order to cancer her passport, you have to cancel her birth certificate. Unfortunately you have to go through the courts, there's a due process, and the OSG has already started with that," Gatchalian said.
"Unfortunately it's a long process. The issuance of her passport was based on her birth certificate, and in order to cancer her passport, you have to cancel her birth certificate. Unfortunately you have to go through the courts, there's a due process, and the OSG has already started with that," Gatchalian said.
Guo's camp has repeatedly insisted that the mayor is a Filipino citizen.
Guo's camp has repeatedly insisted that the mayor is a Filipino citizen.
Her lawyer Stephen David said Tuesday that Guo was "still in the country."
“I have no reason not to believe her considering that in fact, last week, she appeared before a notary public and executed her sworn statement,” David told ANC.
The lawyer said he advised Guo to offer proof of her whereabouts.
“If you are indeed in the country, then this is the best opportunity for you to show that not everything that the government is throwing against you is reliable,” he said, recounting the advice he gave her.
“Mistakes are always possible. If she can show that she is here, that will be very advantageous to her.”
Her lawyer Stephen David said Tuesday that Guo was "still in the country."
“I have no reason not to believe her considering that in fact, last week, she appeared before a notary public and executed her sworn statement,” David told ANC.
The lawyer said he advised Guo to offer proof of her whereabouts.
“If you are indeed in the country, then this is the best opportunity for you to show that not everything that the government is throwing against you is reliable,” he said, recounting the advice he gave her.
“Mistakes are always possible. If she can show that she is here, that will be very advantageous to her.”
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