MANILA – Suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo remains in the Philippines, according to her lawyer amid speculations that she could have escaped from the country.
The controversial mayor cannot leave the country since a lookout bulletin has been issued against her by the government, said Atty. Stephen David.
“Nakausap ko siya kahapon pero hindi ko alam kung saan siya. Pero 100% nasa Pilipinas siya. ‘Yun ang sinabi niya sa akin,” David said in an interview with GMA’s Unang Balita.
He added: “Sabi nga niya sa akin, paano naman siya makakalabas ng Pilipinas may lookout order siya at saka ang higpit ng mga airports natin. Ayaw ko namang insultuhin ang ating mga Immigration (officers) na kaya silang palusutan ng isang tao.”
David said he already advised Guo to attend the Senate inquiry, but the latter refused due to her “physical and emotional condition” after being “traumatized” from the hearing.
“Actually, ‘yun ang matagal ko nang advice sa kanya. Lagi ko namang nire-remind siya kasi may consequences nga. Kung hindi ka maka-attend ng hearing mawa-warrant siya,” David said.
“Hindi siya magiging effective kasi any question that may be asked about what she knows ay apektado ‘yung kanyang right against self-incrimination dahil nga may criminal cases siya sa Ombudsman at saka [Department of Justice],” he added.
David further said, “Kung magsasalita ka, ‘yung right against self-incrimination, anything you say may be used against you in the court of law. So ano ‘yung puwedeng itanong sa kaniya na hindi siya mase-self-incriminate?”
Over the weekend, the Senate issued arrest orders against Guo and seven other individuals for repeatedly failing to attend its investigation into the raided POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hub in her town.
The Senate committee, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, is investigating Guo’s alleged involvement in the illegal POGO hub that was raided in her own town./PN
