House to review intel funds after Alice Guo escape

Rep. Elizaldy Co —Photo from Office of Elizaldy Co Media Affairs

MANILA, Philippines — The House appropriations committee will review the intelligence funds of government agencies after dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo escaped the country despite being placed in an immigration lookout, a lawmaker said on Saturday.

According to Ako Bicol partylist Representative Elizaldy Co, Chairman of the House committee on appropriations, the committee takes allocation and utilization of funds “very seriously.”

READ: Paocc eyeing private, public personalities behind Alice Guo’s departure

“Kailangang siguruhin nating ang bawat piso ng intelligence funds ay nagagamit nang tama at epektibo (We need to ensure that every peso used for intelligence funds is being utilized properly and effectively,” Co said in a statement.

Co cited that the cases of Guo who illegally escaped the country and that of former Bureau of Corrections Chief Gerald Bantag and fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who have not been arrested are “of great concern.”

READ: Gatchalian: BI knew Guo gone, kept Marcos in the dark

“These incidents are alarming because they raise serious questions on use of funds for security and law enforcement,” he added.

Co noted that the review of the utilization of these funds should be done, even if these cases seem “isolated incidents” to not waste the taxpayers’ money.

“The goal is to make sure every peso serves its purpose. Congress will not take this matter lightly,” the lawmaker said.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Spokesperson Winston Casio said on Saturday that a thorough investigation is needed on the possibility that private individuals or even public officials may have helped Guo escape the country.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian disclosed on Friday that a Bureau of Immigration official told him that the immigration authorities were already aware of the departure of Guo, her siblings, and business associate even way before Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed the news to the public.

Gatchalian said that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had no prior idea of this information.