Gatchalian wants disobedience to summons rap vs. Alice Guo, others

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday suggested the Senate file a case against suspended Mayor Alice Guo for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code or disobedience to summons issued by the national assembly.

The senator suggested this as Guo continues to evade the arrest order issued by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality two weeks ago.

"Muli, wala dito si Alice Guo at kahit na hinahanap na po siya ng ating kapulisan at 'yung ating sariling OSAA (Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms) nakikipag-coordinate sa NBI, sa PNP, at alam ng buong Pilipinas na meron siyang arrest order na nilabas ng Senado pero hindi pa rin siya nagpapakita dito," Gatchalian said during the continuation of the Senate investigation into the illegal POGO hubs.

"May I suggest that the committee recommend to the Senate as a body to file a case against her violating Article 150 or the Revised Penal Code and Article 150 is disobedience to summons issued by Congress, its committee or subcommittee; by constitutional commissions, its committees and subcommittees para gawin na po nating pormal ito...at magkaroon ng po ng court case," he added.

Apart from the mayor whom he also called Guo Hua Ping, Gatchalian also recommended filing the same cases against other individuals who were ordered arrested by the Senate panel but did not appear before the investigation.

The individuals who were issued with arrest orders but did not appear before the Senate investigation as of today were Guo's relatives namely, Sheila Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen L. Guo, and Wenyi Lin.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, the chairperson of the Senate committee, supported this suggestion and said she would invite their colleagues to back this proposal.

"The chair joins with you in that course of action and we will invite our colleagues as well to do so," Hontiveros said.

The Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality is investigating Guo's supposed involvement in the illegal POGO hub that was raided in her town.

Guo's citizenship is also being questioned due to her inconsistent testimonies about her background and the supposed dubious documents regarding her Filipino citizenship.—LDF, GMA Integrated News