Suspended Bamban Mayor skips Senate probe due to trauma

Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo will skip for the second time the Senate investigation into the raided POGO hub in her town due to trauma from previous hearings.

Her legal counsel, Stephen David, stated that Guo's stress level is too high and she feels emotionally and physically drained by the numerous accusations against her.

Guo sent a letter of explanation to Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, saying her physical and mental condition has worsened since the last hearing.

Despite warnings from Senators Hontiveros and Gatchalian that Guo might be cited in contempt if she does not appear, David noted that medical professionals are hesitant to issue a certificate due to fear of being called as witnesses.

Guo reiterated her commitment to cooperate with the Senate committee but emphasized that her current condition makes it impossible for her to attend another hearing.

The Senate is investigating Guo's involvement in illegal POGO activities and questioning her citizenship based on inconsistent testimonies about her background and dubious documents regarding her Filipino citizenship.