A Senate Panel orders the issuance of an arrest warrant for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo due to her recent absence in the Senate Committee Hearing that investigates the illegal POGOs in the Philippines.
During the committee hearing, senator Sherwin Gatchalian moved to cite Guo in contempt along with her relatives who were subjected with subpoenas.
The senator expressed his dismay on the continued absence of the mayor.
"Nakakadismaya dahil pang-apat na hearing na natin 'to at inimbitahan natin itong mahahalagang resource persons para mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong magpaliwanag, ibigay 'yung kanilang opinion, ibigay 'yung kanilang side," Sen. Gatchalian said.
He mentioned the act of disrespecting the Senate process in quest of finding the truth regarding these anomalies.
"Para sa akin ‘yung pagbabalewala nila ng subpoena parang pagbabalewala at pagwawalang respeto sa ating institusyon at sa proseso na ginagawa natin para makahanap ng katotohanan," he added.
With this, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, moved to issue the arrest warrant against the mayor, which garnered support and approval from the Chairperson of the Committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, Senator Risa Hontiveros.
"This letter of explanation is totally unacceptable," Sen. Estrada said pertaining to the letter of explanation, the troubled mayor sent to the Senate.
“Therefore I would like to move we issue a warrant of arrest against Mayor Guo for her to attend the next hearing, kung mayroon man," the Senator addded.
Previously, Guo's lawyer claimed that the mayor may not be able to attend the next committee hearing due to accumulated trauma and stress from the public scrutiny she faces.
Senator Nancy Binay reiterated that mental health is a serious issue and must not be utilized for lying.
"Ang sa akin lang ay nakakahiya naman po doon sa mga tunay na may mental health condition," Sen. Binay said.
This was seconded by the Committee Chair Sen. Hontiveros stating the importance of mental health but within boundaries.
"We also really do not want to set a precedent in which mental health is invoked to skirt the obligation to appear before a senate committee," Sen. Hontiveros mentioned.
The committee chair also highlighted the lack of medical certificate attachment to the letter of excuse given by the mayor.
In the letter of explanation provided to the Senate, the mayor mentioned that medical doctors are refusing to evaluate her condition, in fear that they might get involved in the case and be called to attend the hearing.
“I suggest that she be attended by a government doctor. Para siguro malaman natin ang buong katotohanan," Sen. Estrada said as a resolution.
