Senator mulls filing criminal case vs Guo, others

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian —Senate Social Media Unit

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate, as a body, should file a criminal case against Alice Guo and others for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Gatchalian floated his suggestion during the committee on women’s Monday hearing, explaining that Guo and others’ non-attendance to the chamber’s proceedings despite invitations and arrest orders issued, violates the law.

“Again, Alice Guo is not here, even though the police and our own Office of Sergeant at Arms are looking for her, they are even coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police—the entire Philippines knows that there is an arrest warrant against her. She was ordered arrested by the Senate but she still does not appear here—I suggest that the committee recommends to the Senate as a body to file a case against her for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code,” said Gatchalian.

READ: Arrest Alice Guo, others – Senate

According to the senator, Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code pertains to disobedience to summons issued by Congress.

“To make this formal, I strongly suggest to make this part of the recommendations of the committee that the Senate, as an institution, file a case against Guo Hua Ping—aka Alice Guo and others who are not attending our committee hearing. Let’s put it formally and let there be a court case,” he added.

Panel head Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed Gatchalian’s suggestion, signifying her willingness to join her fellow lawmaker in “that course of action.” She likewise noted that the panel will invite their other colleagues to discuss the matter further.

The Senate earlier issued an arrest order against Guo and seven others for refusing to appear, despite due notices, at the committee on women’s hearing on July 10.

The document stated that Guo’s refusal to appear before the Senate “delayed, impeded, and obstructed” the inquiry into the reported violation of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture in the premises of an internet gaming licensee of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation.

Guo is subjected to scrutiny after the Senate panel on women bared her alleged ties to illegal pogo firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban, Tarlac. Questions about her citizenship were also raised, leading to allegations that she is a Chinese spy—which she vehemently denied.

Apart from the embattled local official, arrest orders against her family members Sheila Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen Guo and her suspected mother Wen Yi Lin were likewise released.