Alice Guo attends Senate hearing on POGO probe

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, whose Chinese name is Guo Hua Ping, attended the continuation of the Senate's joint hearing on Monday, September 9, 2024, to investigate illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Guo, who faces graft, money laundering, and human trafficking complaints linked to a raided POGO hub in Bamban, was brought from the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame to the Senate, this time wearing a bulletproof vest.

She was previously ordered arrested by the Senate for contempt in July and was apprehended in Indonesia last week.

Guo was dismissed from her post as mayor last week.

The Regional Trial Court of Capas, Tarlac has allowed Guo to appear before the Senate investigation whenever she is required, provided the Senate sends a prior request to avoid conflict with the court's scheduled hearings on her case.

Guo remains in the custody of the PNP Custodial Center in Quezon City as legal issues surrounding her case are resolved.

During the Senate hearing last Monday, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino argued that Guo should be detained in the Senate as the warrant of arrest issued by the Tarlac court is in violation of Republic Act 10660.