Alice Guo — PHOTO FROMGUO’S FACEBOOK PAGE Risa Hontiveros —SENATE PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo to attend the next Senate hearing on her alleged involvement in the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban if she wants to clear her name.
According to Hontiveros, Guo and her legal team should respect the country’s laws.
READ: Guo skipping Senate hearing; Hontiveros warns of arrest
Guo did not attend the last Senate hearing; her lawyer said she was not feeling well. During the previous hearings, Guo denied the allegations.
The Senate issued a subpoena to Guo, her parents, and three siblings, ordering them to appear at the Senate hearing on July 10.
However, the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms said in a letter dated July 4 that the subpoenas were not served because Guo had not been in their farm for several weeks, according to a farm helper. The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms also said the farm helper did not know Guo’s siblings.
On Monday, Hontiveros warned Guo that she may be arrested if she did not comply with the subpoena.
“Our jurisprudence is clear and consistent. The Supreme Court has recognized that the invocation of the right against self-incrimination can only be done when a question is being asked,” Hontiveros added.
“To cleanse her name, she should appear at the hearing, answer properly, and stop lying,” she added.
READ: Alice Guo absent from Tarlac farm for weeks now – Senate OSAA