MANILA. Former Bamban town mayor Alice Guo was held in contempt for a second time on Monday after refusing to answer key questions from the Philippine Senate regarding her alleged connections to Chinese criminal syndicates and her mysterious escape from the country two months ago.
Guo, 38, was recently arrested in Indonesia after authorities located her hiding alongside a Chinese monk, reportedly disguised with short-cropped hair. Upon her deportation to the Philippines, she denied any involvement with criminal organizations.
Wearing a bulletproof vest during her appearance before the Senate investigative panel, Guo remained evasive, stating that death threats and ongoing criminal cases prevented her from fully responding to the questions. “I cannot provide details because of the threats to my life,” she said, but did not offer any evidence to support her claim.
This marks the second time the Senate has cited Guo in contempt. In July, senators issued an arrest warrant after she failed to attend a hearing. It was later discovered that Guo had fled the country, traveling through Malaysia, Singapore, and eventually Indonesia, before her capture.
Guo, who served as Bamban’s mayor since 2022, was removed from office by the Ombudsman last month due to grave misconduct charges. She is currently facing graft charges in a Philippine trial court and a separate money laundering complaint at the Department of Justice.
Senate Grilling and Contempt Motion
The session grew tense as senators pressed Guo on her alleged connections to criminal activities. Senator Risa Hontiveros, head of the investigative committee, expressed frustration with Guo’s evasive testimony, accusing her of lying about her identity. Evidence from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed that Guo’s fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping.
“I move to cite Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Guo, in contempt of the Senate for testifying falsely and evasively before this committee,” Hontiveros stated, with the motion swiftly approved by the committee.
Escape by Boat
When asked how she managed to flee the Philippines, Guo described a clandestine escape involving a yacht. “We left on a yacht, aided by an Asian woman whom I will not name,” Guo said, adding that they later transferred to a larger vessel to complete their journey.
Her escape has raised concerns amid a larger Senate investigation into illegal activities in Bamban. In May, law enforcers raided a casino in the town, uncovering what authorities described as scams being run from a facility partly owned by Guo.
Allegations Tied to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs)
Adding to the complexity of her case, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently urged Guo to come clean about her alleged involvement in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). POGOs, which target Chinese customers, have been linked to various criminal enterprises, prompting Marcos to ban the industry in July.
Guo, however, was firm in her denial. “I am not involved in POGOs,” she said in one of her few clear statements during the hearing.
As her case continues to unfold, it has captivated the nation, particularly at a time when tensions between the Philippines and China are rising due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Senators remain determined to uncover the truth behind Guo’s actions and connections.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
