Senate President Francis Escudero said Tuesday he rejected an apology and request for understanding from suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo unless she appears at the hearing on July 29 to address allegations of her involvement in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
In a media briefing, Escudero revealed he received a letter from Guo on July 22, seeking understanding and offering an apology. However, the letter did not mention her commitment to attend the Senate hearings and follow through on her pending arrest.
In a one-page letter dated July 20, 2024, Guo expressed her readiness to face her cases with various government agencies, including the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the courts, to prove her innocence.
Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping per the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), emphasized her desire to defend herself in a proper forum. She noted the importance of the presumption of innocence and respect for individual rights.
“As a person who has been continuously seeking for justice, I hope to be given an opportunity to defend myself in a proper forum,” said Guo.
“I know that as a lawyer, you know the importance of ‘presumption of innocence’ and the need to respect the rights of an individual while a case is ongoing,” she told Escudero.
The seasoned lawmaker from Sorsogon reiterated that despite President Marcos’ declaration to ban POGOs, there is no reason to halt the Senate hearings on the matter. Guo has been linked to the POGO raids in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.
Authorities have been unable to apprehend Guo, who has a pending arrest order for contempt charges due to her failure to attend the July 10 and July 26 hearings. Escudero assures that Guo’s security and safety would be guaranteed if she voluntarily surrenders to the Senate.
