Escudero: Senate can hold ‘unli’ hearings on Guo

NO LIMIT After initially saying the burden of proof lies upon the accusers of Alice Guo (center), Senate President Francis Escudero said that Sen. Risa Hontiveros can hold as many committee hearings as she wants to get to the truth about the Bamban, Tarlac mayor’s citizenship. —Marianne Bermudez

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ committee on women can hold as many hearings as possible to unravel the curious case of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“She can hold ‘unli’ hearings as long as she wants or until she gets all the information and details she needs to file a proposed bill that would be beneficial for our country and fellow Filipinos,” Escudero said in a radio interview.

READ: Guo probe not a witch hunt, but about national security – Hontiveros

He made the remark following his previous statement that “the burden of proof” lies upon those alleging that Guo is not a Filipino.

“That’s what the Supreme Court has been saying. That’s the prevailing law and it has nothing to do with whether or not the hearings continue,” Escudero said.

“There is a basic principle in law. He who alleges must prove the same. Those [who] are alleging that she is not Filipino must prove it. If proven, then she must be removed,” the new Senate leader had said in a previous press briefing.

READ: Alice Guo’s secret masters

Alleged Pogo links

Guo has been the subject of scrutiny after the Senate committee on women bared her alleged ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).

She is also being investigated over suspicions that she may be a Chinese “spy.”

READ: I am not a spy – Bamban Mayor Alice Guo

Despite repeated questioning from senators, Guo categorically denied having links to Pogos or that she was a spy.

Both Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Joel Villanueva expressed support for the continuation of the chamber’s inquiry on Guo.

“It is important that the hearings continue … despite what some say that there is no connection with national security, I think it’s important. We have seen and heard a lot of news and even intel information that her family has connections with [China Communist Party], with China,” Villanueva said.

Questions for Guo’s father

Estrada contradicted speculations that the Senate inquiry was already deviating from the Pogo issue.

“Of course it’s important to look into the personal background of Alice Guo. You also have to establish the credibility of the person because that is also a national security concern, because if she really is a Chinese citizen, how did she run as mayor?” the senator said.

Estrada said Guo’s father would be invited to the next hearing of the Senate panel.

“I was the one who proposed that the father of Alice Guo be invited … there are many things we need to ask him. Who is his wife? If she is Chinese, that means Alice Guo’s mother is Chinese. And that will make Guo Chinese since her father is Chinese,” Estrada said.

He added that he was inclined to have the mayor’s father subpoenaed should he refuse to appear before the Senate probe.