3 Senate panels to investigate Alice Guo's alleged escape from Philippines | ABS-CBN
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3 Senate panels to investigate Alice Guo's alleged escape from Philippines
3 Senate panels to investigate Alice Guo's alleged escape from Philippines
Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo testifies at the Senate hearing in Pasay City on May 22, 2024 as she faces questions on her identity and alleged ties to a raided POGO hub in her town. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo testifies at the Senate hearing in Pasay City on May 22, 2024 as she faces questions on her identity and alleged ties to a raided POGO hub in her town. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — In a rare development, the Senate has tasked three of its committees to investigate the alleged escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
MANILA — In a rare development, the Senate has tasked three of its committees to investigate the alleged escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III will lead the investigation. The Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality led by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and the Senate Committee on Public Services Chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo will be the tertiary committees.
The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III will lead the investigation. The Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality led by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and the Senate Committee on Public Services Chaired by Senator Raffy Tulfo will be the tertiary committees.
Senate President Francis Escudero as presiding officer, Pimentel and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino agreed on this during the plenary session, with no objections from their colleagues.
Senate President Francis Escudero as presiding officer, Pimentel and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino agreed on this during the plenary session, with no objections from their colleagues.
Pimentel had requested that Hontiveros' committee to be the secondary panel, citing her expertise on the subject. He noted that Hontiveros' panel has been investigating Guo's alleged connection to illegal gambling hubs, and it was the senator who revealed in a privilege speech on Monday that the dismissed mayor has fled the country.
Pimentel had requested that Hontiveros' committee to be the secondary panel, citing her expertise on the subject. He noted that Hontiveros' panel has been investigating Guo's alleged connection to illegal gambling hubs, and it was the senator who revealed in a privilege speech on Monday that the dismissed mayor has fled the country.
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But Escudero also wanted the transportation panel, lodged under the Committee on Public Services, to be involved since it involves the country's ports and airports, while the Justice panel has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Immigration.
But Escudero also wanted the transportation panel, lodged under the Committee on Public Services, to be involved since it involves the country's ports and airports, while the Justice panel has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Immigration.
"Iyung totality of the investigation, the knowledge about the details and about everything the persons involved is with the Senate Committee on Women and Children siya yung source nitong, siya ang source ng subject matter, subject matter expertise so if we can just make secondary lang naman, Justice is still the primary," Pimentel said.
"Iyung totality of the investigation, the knowledge about the details and about everything the persons involved is with the Senate Committee on Women and Children siya yung source nitong, siya ang source ng subject matter, subject matter expertise so if we can just make secondary lang naman, Justice is still the primary," Pimentel said.
PERJURY, DISOBEDIENCE RAPS VS GUO
Escudero said the Senate would pursue Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian's proposal to file perjury and disobedience complaints against Guo, who skipped previous Senate hearings into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Escudero said the Senate would pursue Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian's proposal to file perjury and disobedience complaints against Guo, who skipped previous Senate hearings into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
"Nag-usap na kami, ni-refer na namin sa Senate Legal, pinag-aaralan na nila kung sino ang gagawa ng affidavit," Escudero said.
"Nag-usap na kami, ni-refer na namin sa Senate Legal, pinag-aaralan na nila kung sino ang gagawa ng affidavit," Escudero said.
While Gatchalian and Hontiveros have been pursuing the inquiry into POGO operations, they will not be the complainants in the raps that will be filed.
While Gatchalian and Hontiveros have been pursuing the inquiry into POGO operations, they will not be the complainants in the raps that will be filed.
"Yung may personal knowledge [dapat] kaugnay nung pagsisinungaling o di pagsunod sa subpoena... Ang makakaaalam noon marahil ay miyembro ng OSAA (Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms) o ibang empleyado ng Senado. Ayon sa batas sila ang kailangan mag-execute ng complaint affidavit," Escudero said.
"Yung may personal knowledge [dapat] kaugnay nung pagsisinungaling o di pagsunod sa subpoena... Ang makakaaalam noon marahil ay miyembro ng OSAA (Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms) o ibang empleyado ng Senado. Ayon sa batas sila ang kailangan mag-execute ng complaint affidavit," Escudero said.
Gatchalian earlier noted that making false statements while under oath is a violation of Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code and that Guo’s refusal to attend the Senate hearing is a violation of Article 150 of the same law, which penalizes disobedience to summons issued by Congress.
Gatchalian earlier noted that making false statements while under oath is a violation of Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code and that Guo’s refusal to attend the Senate hearing is a violation of Article 150 of the same law, which penalizes disobedience to summons issued by Congress.
The Senate ordered the arrest of Guo and several other individuals for their refusal to attend two consecutive hearings conducted by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
The Senate ordered the arrest of Guo and several other individuals for their refusal to attend two consecutive hearings conducted by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
Escudero, however, noted that the case might not prosper without Guo showing up after she allegedly fled the country last month.
Escudero, however, noted that the case might not prosper without Guo showing up after she allegedly fled the country last month.
"Hindi gugulong yung kaso. Pero ang mangyayari lang niyan pag nagsampa ng kaso sa pisklaya sa DOJ, [kung] hindi siya sasagot, made-declare siya in default. Mapa-file yung kaso, mai-isyuhan siya ng warrant. Pending yung kaso hangga't hindi siya mag-appear sa korte. So anytime na bumalik siya Pilipinas, may karagdagang issue or warrant of arrest na pwedeng ma-isyu laban sa kanya," Escudero explained.
"Hindi gugulong yung kaso. Pero ang mangyayari lang niyan pag nagsampa ng kaso sa pisklaya sa DOJ, [kung] hindi siya sasagot, made-declare siya in default. Mapa-file yung kaso, mai-isyuhan siya ng warrant. Pending yung kaso hangga't hindi siya mag-appear sa korte. So anytime na bumalik siya Pilipinas, may karagdagang issue or warrant of arrest na pwedeng ma-isyu laban sa kanya," Escudero explained.
Still, Gatchalian said that Guo’s escape should not deter the government from prosecuting her.
Still, Gatchalian said that Guo’s escape should not deter the government from prosecuting her.
“This is a temporary setback for the country. The cases should continue. She is now facing numerous charges. Her world will shrink, and the long arm of the law will eventually catch up to her,” he said.
“This is a temporary setback for the country. The cases should continue. She is now facing numerous charges. Her world will shrink, and the long arm of the law will eventually catch up to her,” he said.
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