Senate issues arrest order for Mayor Alice Guo

The Senate has issued an arrest order for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also identified as Guo Hua Ping, for contempt.

The order was issued for her failure to attend hearings of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality into unlicensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and her alleged involvement in them.

Several other individuals, including alleged relatives Sheila Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen L. Guo, and Wenyi Lin, as well as Dennis Lacson Cunanan and Nancy Jimenez Gamo, were also ordered arrested.

The arrest orders were signed by committee chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros and approved by Senate President Francis Escudero.

Guo is to be detained at the Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms until she appears and testifies or purges herself of contempt.

Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that the arrest order is the first step to making Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping accountable.

Guo had previously skipped hearings citing medical unfitness and stress, while her lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to halt future summons.