10-9-2024 (MANILA) Former Bamban town mayor Alice Guo found herself at the centre of a political maelstrom as she appeared before a Senate inquiry in Manila on Monday. The hearing, which followed Guo’s extradition from Indonesia just days earlier, quickly descended into a heated exchange that saw the ex-mayor cited for contempt for the second time.
The inquiry, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Risa Hontiveros, sought to unravel Guo’s alleged ties to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and her suspected involvement in human trafficking and financial crimes. However, Guo’s evasive responses and apparent reluctance to cooperate with the investigation drew fierce criticism from the senators.
“You’re lying,” Senator Estrada thundered at one point, his frustration palpable as Guo repeatedly sidestepped direct questions about her identity and past activities. The former mayor’s insistence on her Filipino nationality, despite evidence suggesting she had entered the Philippines in 2003 under a Chinese name, only served to further inflame tensions in the chamber.
The hearing took on added significance in light of recent developments, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s decision to dismiss immigration chief Norman Tansingco over Guo’s escape from the country in July. This move underscored the gravity of the situation and the high-level attention it has garnered.
Senator Joel Villanueva issued a stark warning about the broader implications of the case, suggesting that Guo’s involvement with POGOs could be just the tip of the iceberg. “There might come a time, if we don’t put a stop to this, in the next election, we may have a POGO-sponsored president,” he cautioned, highlighting the potential for foreign interference in Philippine politics.
The proceedings took an unexpected turn when Guo claimed she had received death threats, offering to reveal the name of the alleged perpetrator in a closed-door session. This revelation, coupled with her assertion that the same individual had facilitated her escape from the Philippines, added a layer of intrigue to an already complex case.
Senator Estrada’s disclosure that the person named by Guo was known to hold multiple passports and was currently believed to be in Taiwan further complicated the narrative. The senator also questioned Guo’s motivations for entering politics, accusing her of mocking government processes and insulting Filipino voters.
The hearing reached a crescendo when Senator Hontiveros, visibly exasperated, moved to cite Guo for contempt, a motion that received unanimous support from her colleagues. Despite this, Guo’s immediate fate remains tied to ongoing anti-graft cases in Tarlac province, where she is currently detained.
In a surprising twist, former senator and military intelligence officer Panfilo Lacson speculated that Guo might be a trained spy, citing her adept handling of the senators’ questioning. This assertion adds yet another dimension to an already multifaceted and contentious case.
