Arrest Guo Family | Senate Orders Arrest of Suspended Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and Family

Philippine Senate Committee Orders Arrest of Suspended Mayor Alice Guo Amid Controversy

Senate Issues Arrest Order for Mayor Alice Guo

The Philippine Senate Committee has ordered the arrest of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo following her continued absence from hearings concerning her alleged connections to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). 

Despite being issued a subpoena, Guo failed to appear at the inquiry led by Senator Risa Hontiveros. Senator Hontiveros emphasized that Guo's claim of being traumatized is not a valid excuse to avoid accountability.

"In a previous significant investigation, a resource person cited mental health concerns but still testified despite these issues, as verified by a medical doctor," Senator Hontiveros noted. " Senator Nancy Binay and Hontiveros recognized the importance of mental health, both said that they do not want to set a precedent where mental health is invoked to evade appearing before a Senate committee. Guo's claims in her letter lack of credibility."

The senators interpreted the absence of Guo and her family members as a sign of guilt. Guo's parents and siblings were also cited in contempt for not attending the hearing. 

Also during the session, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco disclosed that former Duterte presidential spokesperson Harry Roque lobbied for the issuance of licenses to illegal POGOs, some of which were recently raided.