The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Monday welcomed Senator Francis Tolentino's request to detain dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at the Senate detention facility.
“Mamaya po, I will file a motion directing this committee to take cognizance of Miss Alice Guo and detain her here at the Senate. I serve notice, Madame Chair, that I have several bags of jurisprudence to back up my claim,” Tolentino expressed after the Senators' opening statement.
Meanwhile, Tolentino’s move was supported by Senator Joel Villanueva.
“As long as there is a legitimate inquiry, the inherent power of contempt by the Senate will be properly exercised,” said Villanueva.
These statements were made following the Capas Regional Trial Court's issuance of an arrest warrant against Guo over her alleged violation of Section 3(e) and (h) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Villanueva noted that since the Senate was the first to issue a warrant of arrest against Guo, it holds jurisdiction over the case.
Senator Risa Hontiveros as the head of the committee welcomed her colleagues' statements.
"Talagang and Senado and nag-issue ng warrant kaugnay ni Alice Guo at nagtrigger ng manhunt para sakanya, the chair will welcome that motion at kung ano man and ruling ng chair makakapag-coordinate at magcocoordinate kung sakali and komiteng ito sa korte which has jurisdiction of her detention at the moment," said Hontiveros.
