Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping refused to post P180,000 bail for her two counts of graft over the issuance of a business permit to an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban, Tarlac.
She will be detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame following a commitment order issued by Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 109 Presiding Judge Sarah Vedana-Delos Santos Guo, who appeared before Vedana-Santos last Friday, was issued a warrant of arrest for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act filed by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Retired Gen. Roberto Ancam, chief of the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms, said this would mean Guo will no longer be taken to the Senate detention facility. She will remain under the custody od the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Guo’s lawyer Stephen David said they see no reason to post bail at this time because it will not achieve the purpose of temporary liberty as she has another warrant of arrest issued by the Senate for contempt due to failure to attend Senate hearings.
He said the Senate commitee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros will just have to request the court for the appearance of Guo in Senate. hearings. Vedana-Delos Santos, meanwhile, allowed Guo to attend the Senate POGO hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Sept. 9, 2024, 10am, Senate of the Philippines.
After Guo did not post bail, Hontiveros immediately wrote a letter to the Presiding Judge requesting for Guo’s appearance in the hearing.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros on slammed Guo for turning her arrest into what seemed like a “fan meet” after evading law enforcement.
“We want answers, not a photoshoot. All that’s missing is the red carpet,” Hontiveros quipped, expressing her frustration over Guo’s demeanor.
Hontiveros, who is leading the Senate investigation into illegal POGO linked to Guo, said the former mayor will have her moment in the spotlight during Monday’s hearing.
“Let’s see how photogenic she is during the hearing on Monday. She will have her [unlimited] pictures taken,” the senator said.
Hontiveros also reminded some law enforcers involved in her deportation that Guo’s arrest, considering the serious charges against her—human trafficking, money laundering, fake identity, illegal recruitment, and corruption—should not be treated as a social event.
She emphasized that Guo played with the laws of the Philippines and is facing several allegations of crime and corruption. “She has to pay for all her lying, hiding, escaping and deceiving the Filipino people,” Hontiveros said of the ousted mayor.
Some senators also scoffed at the “unprofessionalism” shown by Philippine authorities who fetched Guo in Indonesia.
Photos went viral showing Interior and Local Government Sec. Benhur Abalos and PNP Chief Director Gen. Rommel Marbil “smiling” during a photo shoot and selfie with Guo.
Abalos, reportedly running for senator, was bashed by netizens on social media.
Senators also denounced the demeanor of arresting officers from the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration who turned Guo’s apprehension into a “fanfare.”
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian stressed that all law enforcers should show professionalism and proper decorum especially in arresting fugitives.
“It’s really bad for law enforcers to take selfies with a criminal and post their pictures on social media,” noted Gatchalian.
“We should not tolerate this attitude of our law enforcers,” he added.
Gatchalian and Hontiveros led the Senate investigation on the illegal POGO operations in the country and the alleged involvement of Guo.
Sen. Joel Villanueva feels frustrated over what he described as “embarrassing” attitude of the officials and arresting officers.
“What a disaster! Disaster to say the least,” he expressed.
DOJ Usec. Raul Vasquez vowed to call the attention of the NBI and the BI to be more professional amid a euphoria of success in finally arresting a fugitive who “made a joke” of our law enforcement.
But President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he sees nothing wrong with taking selfie photos with Guo, saying it’s now part of a new culture.
He pointed out there’s more to taking photos with Guo, who is facing human trafficking and money laundering complaints in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian urged Guo to come clean about her involvement in illegal POGO operations, warning that any further attempts to lie or cover for her associates could lead to harsher penalties.
Guo faces a Senate hearing on Monday, where she will be asked to explain her role in these activities.
