By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(July 11, 2024) – The Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) on Thursday maintained its preparedness to enforce arrest warrants and subpoenas for over 20 individuals, including suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, required to appear in the probe into Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
OSAA head Roberto Ancan said they have enough personnel to serve the orders, adding they are only waiting for the directives.
Chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality has yet to submit a request.
On Wednesday, Guo failed to attend the inquiry for the second time, saying she was “traumatized” from the previous ones. She also skipped the hearing last June 26, citing mental stress.
Hontiveros cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of Guo, her parents, three siblings, an accountant, and a former authorized POGO representative.
The embattled mayor is allegedly linked to Zun Yuan Technology Inc. and Lucky South 99 Inc., the POGO hubs raided in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga, respectively. They were reportedly involved in human trafficking, prostitution, and online scams, among other illegal activities.
Ancan noted that they are also planning to issue 16 subpoenas to declared incorporators of companies allegedly involved in the two POGO hubs.
ALSO READ: PAOCC tags Bamban Mayor Guo as ‘primary enabler’ of raided POGOs
In a letter, Guo’s camp claimed that her doctors refused to issue her a medical certificate for fear of being humiliated by the public as well.
This, however, did not sit well with the senators.
“This letter is totally unacceptable. Therefore, I would like to move that we issue a warrant of arrest against Mayor Guo for her to attend the next hearing,” said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.
ALSO READ: Bamban Mayor Guo’s camp admits business relationship with alleged POGO ‘big boss’
Sen. Nancy Binay also slammed Guo for using mental health as an excuse.
“Nakakahiya naman sa mga tunay na may mental health condition,” said Binay. “Seryosong usapin ang mental health at hindi ito ginagamit na dahilan para magsinungaling.”
(With reports from Maeanne Los Baños, News5)
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