MANILA (UPDATED) — "Filipino po ako," Alice Guo insisted anew during what Rep. Bienvenido Abante described as "kuwentuhan" over hopia, the Chinese-associated pastry that was served as a snack at the House quad-committee hearing on Thursday (September 19).

This is the House quad-committee's 6th hearing investigating the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and illegal drugs. This is also the first time that Guo, who faces accusations of links to illegal POGOs, will appear before the special four-way panel.

READ: Alice Guo faces Quad Com probe on POGOs

Abante, a co-chairperson of the joint panel, offered Guo a piece of hopia as he started his interpellation, but the embattled former mayor declined.

"Chinese ka, hindi ka kumakain ng hopia?" the congressman quipped. "Bakit ako, Filipino, kumakain ako ng hopia?"

Guo answered, "Ako po siguro 'yung Filipino... hindi po ako kumakain ng hopia."

Earlier in the hearing, she was also grilled about her citizenship by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Jinky Luistro, who presented supposed old photos of Guo including her alleged Chinese passport.

"These documents are evidence to show that indeed the nationality of Ms. Guo is Chinese," Luistro said.

Guo, however, opted to keep mum on the documents and invoked her right against-self incrimination, citing the criminal cases filed against her.

Guo has repeatedly insisted in congressional hearings that she is a Filipino.

READ: PNP investigating 24 ex-police chiefs on info that one could have helped Guo escape

The Valenzuela regional trial court earlier approved Guo’s appearance before the House quad committee inquiry.

Guo was arrested in Indonesia earlier this month after leaving the Philippines in July.

Guo, who is facing human trafficking, graft and money laundering charges, has denied involvement in illegal POGOs where hundreds of people were forced to run scams or risk torture.

READ: Sual town wharf may have been exit point in Alice Guo's escape: PAOCC