Pasig court allows Alice Guo to attend Senate POGO probe on Oct. 8

A Pasig City court on Wednesday released an order allowing dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo to attend the continuation of the Senate investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) on Oct. 8.

Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 Presiding Judge Annielyn Medes-Cabelis granted the request of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality to allow Guo's presence in the hearing, noting that the Senate is "a co-equal branch of the judiciary and the subject inquiry is in aid of legislation."

Apart from Guo, the Pasig City court also allowed the Senate panel's request to allow the attendance of the following in the scheduled hearing next week:

• Jamielyn Santos Cruz
• Thelma Barrogo Laranan
• Rita Sapnu Yturralde
• Rowena Evangelista
• Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon

In a message to GMA News Online, committee chair Senator Risa Hontiveros said the attendance of the five others was requested because they are listed as co-incorporators in the POGO hub in Bamban.

"They have already surrendered to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and their presence in the Senate hearing can help expose the real minds behind the crimes happening in the scam compound," Hontiveros said.

The court ordered Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory Officer-in-Charge Jail Inspector Jocelyn Riño to adopt adequate measures to ensure the security and safety of the six accused during their attendance in the Senate investigation.

The legal counsels are also allowed to assist Guo and the five others during the Senate hearing.

Last Friday, Guo pleaded not guilty to the qualified human trafficking charge pending before the Pasig court.

The case is connected to the raid of the POGO hub in Bamban last June, where over 800 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued.

The Pasig RTC earlier directed Guo’s transfer from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.

The Senate's investigation centered on Guo due to her alleged involvement in the raided POGO hub in Bamban, where she previously held the mayoral position.

Guo has repeatedly denied involvement in any POGO operations. Despite her continuous denial, the dismissed mayor escaped the Philippines in July, but was later on arrested in Indonesia.

She is facing charges for graft, qualified human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion. She is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail. — VDV, GMA Integrated News