Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay denied on Tuesday, September 17, that he and dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo (real name: Guo Hua Ping) are in a romantic relationship or in a ‘mutual understanding’ bond.
Calugay rejected the rumors during the Senate investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations, where lawmakers showed the images of the two together.
Senators nevertheless asked Calugay to provide an explanation for images that showed him with Guo’s campaign jersey on and riding a float with the politician in 2022.
“Kaibigan lang po. Magkaibigan lang po kamin, madam chair,” Calugay told Senator Risa Hontiveros during the hearing.
Calugay added he was living with someone else and insisted they had no romantic involvement.
“May kinakasama po ako, your honor. Una na-annul, tapos ngayon may kinakasama,” Calugay said.
He clarified that he was the only one given Guo’s campaign shirt and that the resigned mayor had simply invited him “to show her campaign parade.”
Regarding the picture of them on a float, Calugay said that Guo was asked to accompany him in his triumphant caravan by the ejected mayor, who had requested that he join her own after winning the 2022 elections.
Asked if he has a business partnership with Guo or even a shared bank account, Calugay said none.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also Calugay if Guo knew Calugay’s live in partner, and the latter said he didn’t know if the dismissed mayor knew her.
“Alice, kilala mo yung kinakasama niya?” Estrada then asked Guo.
“I refuse to answer po,” Guo said.
Pressed further to answer the question, Guo said: “Ah Sen, hindi ko po kilala.”
Estrada had earlier asked Guo if she and Calugay were in a relationship and if they owned Alisel Aquafarm during a prior Senate panel meeting.
Guo refuted both, even asserting that she was unaware of Calugay’s real name and that she was only familiar with him by the nickname “Dong.” (TCSP)
