The Philippine Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality has cited former Bamban mayor Alice Guo in contempt for evading questions during a recent hearing.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Committee, moved to cite Guo in contempt after she denied being the same person as Guo Hua Ping, despite evidence from the National Bureau of Investigation. Hontiveros noted that Guo used a fraudulent birth certificate to obtain a Philippine passport, a point confirmed in previous hearings. Senator Joel Villanueva seconded the motion.
Hontiveros highlighted that the Philippine Statistics Authority had flagged the birth certificate as irregular. Despite this, Guo continued to evade questions, including refusing to name those allegedly threatening her life. Senators expressed frustration, particularly over her reluctance to provide names publicly.
Earlier in July, Guo was also cited in contempt for repeatedly skipping hearings on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). A warrant for her arrest was issued at that time. Now in police custody, Guo remains there unless she posts bail for her ongoing graft case. If she posts bail, she will be handed over to the Senate for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, the panel issued a subpoena for Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Dong Calugay, who cited illness as the reason for his absence from the hearing. His name surfaced during the discussions due to his alleged connections with Guo’s family. Additionally, suspected POGO incorporator Cassandra Li Ong missed the session due to hospitalization in Taguig City, as stated in a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
The Bureau of Immigration also noted that Guo’s passport, issued in September 2020, showed no Philippine immigration stamps, indicating that she may have left the country illegally.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed that her passport, as well as her sister’s, lacked proper stamps, further raising questions about their departure from the country. The Commissioner also responded to concerns over photos of BI agents with Guo during her arrest, clarifying that they were excited about completing the operation and meant no disrespect.
Guo, on her part, claimed no Filipino officials were involved in her escape. She mentioned that an Asian foreign woman helped her and her sister board a yacht in Manila, which later took them to Malaysia. She claimed she did not know the woman’s name or nationality. When asked how much the trip cost, Guo refused to name the person who financed it, citing security concerns, but later wrote the individual’s name on a piece of paper for the committee.
Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada voiced skepticism over Guo’s account, doubting that no Filipinos helped her flee the country. He found it hard to believe that a foreigner alone could have facilitated the escape. Despite claiming she felt safe at the moment, Guo expressed concerns about her safety after the hearings. She requested an executive session to disclose further details, but this was denied by the committee.
