Alice Guo's lawyer renews her appeal for Senate executive session | ABS-CBN

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Alice Guo's lawyer renews her appeal for Senate executive session

Alice Guo's lawyer renews her appeal for Senate executive session

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Sep 10, 2024 06:01 PM PHT

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MANILA (UPDATED)— The lawyer of Alice Guo renewed Tuesday her appeal for a Senate executive session in which the dismissed Bamban mayor could provide senators with more substantial information regarding their investigation into her getaway from the country and her alleged ties to an illegal gambling center in her town.

During the resumption of the Senate committee on women's hearing on Monday, Guo dodged some questions by senators, some of whom expressed exasperation, particularly over her alleged dishonesty about her identity, which led to her being cited for contempt again.

When asked for details about her secret escape and other matters, Guo repeatedly cited her right against self-incrimination and the alleged threats to her life. She said she couldn't remember details of certain events.

She requested an executive session with the Senate to provide more information, particularly regarding her fears for her life, but the panel denied her request.

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Speaking on ANC's "Headstart," Guo's lawyer Stephen David renewed her request for a secret session with senators. 

"She only wants a very, very simple request, if the Senate wants to pursue their investigation in aid of legislation, they can get all the information that they want from Alice Guo — simple lang, she wants an executive session," David said.

"What do you have to lose if you accede to her request? And then you will have anything you want and you can use that in aid of legislation," he said.

During Monday's hearing, closely watched by the public, some senators rejected an executive session with Guo, saying that Filipinos should be informed of the details of their investigation into her.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday her panel "has not seen any reason to believe that Guo Hua Ping will provide us with factual, valuable, and reliable information to convince us to agree to an executive session." 

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"Ni hindi nga parin nya maamin na Chinese national siya at pinanganak siya sa China kahit harap-harapan nang pinakita ang mga ebidensya sa kanya. Nakakainsulto na pinipilit parin niyang Pilipino siya," she said in a statement.

"If she cannot even tell the truth about her identity, why should we believe everything else that comes out of her mouth? Magpakatotoo siya sa susunod na pagdinig, at baka sakali maniwala kaming magpapakatotoo din siya sa isang executive session," the lawmaker added.

Hontiveros found allies in Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Joel Villanueva. 

"Karapatan ng publiko na malaman ang mga kawatan sa gobyerno na kasangkot niya at ng mga kasama niya para takasan ang isinasagawang imbestigasyon sa kanila. Allowing an executive session could undermine the principle of transparency and public accountability in Senate investigations," said Estrada.

"Remember, niloko na tayo nitong pugante na ito so para sa akin kung ako ang masusunod, ayoko," added Villanueva.

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Estrada believes that Guo lied when she said that no Filipino helped her in her escape from the Philippines, saying: "Imposible na walang clearance sa BID, impossible." He also believes that Guo is not posting bail so that she will not be detained in the Senate. -- with Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News




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