House QuadCom cites Alice Guo in contempt

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo was cited in contempt Thursday by the House of Representatives Quad Committee over her alleged refusal to answer lawmakers' questions truthfully.

Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano moved to cite Guo in contempt after she repeatedly invoked her right to self-incrimination during the QuadCom hearing.

"You're fooling this country, and you’re fooling the Filipino people… I move to cite Alice Guo in contempt," said Paduano.

The lawmaker also moved for Guo to be detained under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives.

"My second motion will be Alice Guo will be detained in the period until the committee report of this investigation will be adopted in the plenary. Question of jurisdiction, because Alice Guo is now in the custody of the PNP (Philippine National Police) Custodial Center, will be discussed after this hearing," he added.

According to a report on 24 Oras, it was unclear as of posting time where she would be detained in view of the House contempt order.

Guo has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City after she did not post bail before a Tarlac court over graft charges.

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality cited Guo in contempt for the second time on Sept. 9 for allegedly continuing to lie to senators.

The QuadCom—the House committees on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights, and public accounts—has been conducting a probe into extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and alleged criminal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Guo is being linked to the operations of a POGO hub that was raided by law enforcement authorities in Bamban over reported illegal activities.

Also during the Quadcom hearing Thursday, Guo said she was unaware that some of her business partners were criminals. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News