AFTER repeatedly ignoring invitations, the controversial Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has to pay the price of snubbing the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality which has been investigating allegations linking her to illegal offshore gaming operations.
At the resumption of the Senate inquiry, committee chair Risa Hontiveros commenced the hearing with a roll call of the “invited resource persons,” where she was told of Guo’s absence.
It was then that the visibility pissed off Hontiveros moved to cite the suspended mayor for contempt, for which Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada immediately moved for the issuance of an arrest order.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for his part also moved to some of Guo’s relatives who were also issued subpoenas by the committee.
The seven other persons cited in contempt were Nancy Gamo (alleged former consultant of Alice Guo), Dennis Cunanan (ex-Technology Resource Center chief), Lin Wen Yi (Alice’s alleged biological mother), Guo Siemen (Alice’s brother), Guo Jian Zhong (or Angelito Guo, Alice’s father), Sheila Guo, and Wesley Guo (Alice’s sister and brother.
The committee also issued subpoenas for 15 persons:
Jaimielyn S. Cruz
Roderick Paul B. Pujante
Juan Miguel Alpas
Katherine Cassandra Ong
Alberto Rodulfo “Ar” De La Serna
Jonathan Mendoza
Ronelyn B. Baterna
Michael Bryce B. Mascarenas
Stephanie B. Mascarenas
Rodrigo A. Banda
Jing Gu
Xiang Tan
Daniel Salcedo, Jr.
Chona A. Alejandre
Duanren Wu
According to Gatchalian, the invited resource persons’ failure to appear before the committee hearing showed their lack of respect for the Senate as an institution.
During the hearing, Hontiveros told the committee Guo sent a letter to her panel saying she could not attend the hearing due to death threats and mental health concerns.
But the letter, she pointed out, was not backed by a medical certificate.
“We find her claims in the letter void of credibility,” Hontiveros said. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
