Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at the Senate hearing on Pogo hubs last September 24, 2024. (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate panel on women is set to delve deeper into dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) ties, and invit more personalities linked to the illegal Pogo hub that started it all — Zun Yuan Technology Inc.
The panel chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier disclosed that its next hearing on Guo’s case is scheduled on Tuesday.
Apart from Guo (Guo Hua Ping), the committee likewise sought the Pasig Regional Trial Court’s approval to allow the following personalities to attend the probe:
- Jamielyn Santos Cruz
- Thelma Barrogo Laranan
- Rita Sapnu Yturralde
- Rowena Evangelista
- Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreo
“These personalities are listed as co-incorporators in the Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac. They have already surrendered to the [National Bureau of Investigation] and their presence in the Senate hearing can help expose the real minds behind the crimes happening in the scam compound,” said Hontiveros in a message relayed by her office to the media.
Upon the request of Hontiveros’ office, Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 allowed Guo and the aforementioned personalities to attend the hearing.
In the last hearing on September 24, the committee convened in an executive session after Guo swore to disclose the “most guilty” behind crimes linked to Pogos in the country.
A day after the Senate probe, Hontiveros said Guo did reveal a “crucial personality” linked to the country’s Pogo operations, but she admitted to not feeling satisfied with the dismissed Bamban mayor’s revelation.
Hontiveros, however, said Guo’s revelation “corroborates a theory that the committee shared a month ago.”
Guo has been the subject of scrutiny after the Senate panel on women bared her ties to illegal pogo firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc.
Questions about her citizenship were also raised, leading to allegations that she is a Chinese spy — which she vehemently denied.
The NBI, however, earlier confirmed that she and Chinese national Guo Hua Ping are one.