The Senate committee has issued an arrest order for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo after she failed to attend a crucial investigation hearing on a raided POGO hub in her jurisdiction. This decision came on Wednesday following Mayor Guo’s absence at the resumption of the investigation, GMA Integrated News reported.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada initiated the motion for the arrest, which received approval from Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality. The committee also cited Guo and her relatives in contempt, following a motion by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. “Our hearings won’t be complete without these key personalities,” Gatchalian stated.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero had committed to signing the arrest warrant if a formal motion was presented, which materialized on Tuesday.
Hontiveros noted that Guo had sent a letter to the committee, citing health and mental health concerns as reasons for her non-attendance. However, the letter lacked a supporting medical certificate. “We find her claims in the letter void of credibility,” Hontiveros remarked.
Senator Nancy Binay expressed disappointment over Guo’s use of mental health as an excuse to avoid the investigation, stating, “It’s embarrassing for those who genuinely suffer from mental health conditions… Mental health is a serious issue and should not be used as an excuse for deceit.”
In response, Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, acknowledged the expected arrest order. “We were not surprised because we know the implications of not honoring a subpoena from the Senate, Congress, or court,” David said in a phone interview. He added that he encourages Guo to attend the hearings as long as her condition permits, noting her previous attendance.
David also mentioned that Guo is undergoing treatment and that her doctors are hesitant to issue a medical certificate due to potential calls to testify before the Senate. He had no information regarding the status of Guo’s relatives.
David previously stated in an interview that the Senate hearings have traumatized Guo, who has been prescribed medications for her condition.