Lawyer denies lying about Bamban mayor's whereabouts

The lawyer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo denied on Friday that he lied when he claimed she was still in the Philippines.

Senator Risa Hontiveros had previously revealed on August 19 that Guo left the country in July, a claim her lawyer Stephen David initially contested based on conversations with Guo.

David stated that his reliance on Guo's claims 'in good faith' does not constitute lying to the public and admitted he cannot confirm where she is exactly due to lack of travel records.

He also expressed confidence in the integrity of Atty. Elmer Galicia, who notarized Guo’s counter affidavit despite reports of her departure.

According to authorities, including the Bureau of Immigration, Mayor Guo reportedly fled to Indonesia, while her alleged sister Shiela and companion Cassandra Li Ong were arrested and deported from the same country last week.

Guo is facing a human trafficking complaint before the Department of Justice and has asked for its dismissal, saying that complainants failed to establish her participation in the crime.