Senate can hold 'unli' probe into Alice Guo, says Escudero

Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero clarified Tuesday that he was not out to stop the Senate investigation into Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo following his remark that accusers should bear the burden of proof.

"Yun naman talaga ang sinasabi ng Korte Suprema, yun ang umiiral na batas at walang kinalaman yan sa pagpapatuloy o hindi pagpapatuloy ng hearing," Escudero told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

Hontiveros says Guo probe 'not an attack' on Filipino-Chinese

According to Escudero, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and her panel can hold as many hearings as possible to get to the bottom of the issues surrounding Guo.

"Puwede siyang mag-hearing nang unli hanggang gusto niyang mag-hearing o hanggang matapos yung nais niyang makuhang impormasyon at kaalaman para maghain ng panukalang batas na magagamit ng ating mga kababayan at bansa," Escudero said.

Hontiveros questions nationality of Bamban mayor linked to POGOs

The Senate's Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality has been investigating the alleged human trafficking and criminal activities attributed to offshore gaming operations, including those allegedly linked to Guo.

Guo is also being investigated over her alleged dubious background following suspicions that she could be a Chinese "spy" or "asset", which she denied.

[EXCLUSIVE] Guo denies being a Chinese spy: 'I am a Filipino, I love my country'

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said there was enough reason to look into the personal background of Guo. 

“Of course you also have to establish the credibility of the person kasi that is also a national security concern, kasi kung talagang Chinese citizen ‘yan how did she run as mayor?” Estrada said. 

(You also have to establish the credibility of the person because that is also a national security concern, because if she really is a Chinese citizen, how did she run as mayor?)

Sen. Joel Villanueva also supported the inquiries on Guo. 

“‘Yung sinasabing walang connect doon sa national security, I think it’s important. We have seen and heard a lot of news and even intel information na merong koneksyon ‘yung pamilya niya doon sa CCP doon sa China,” he said. 

“It is important na talagang matuloy ‘yung hearing at talagang makita natin ito,” he added. “I hope and I pray na (that) once and for all we step up our game, especially our concerned government agencies especially ang DOLE, ang BI, at iba pa (especially DOLE, BI, and others).”

(Despite what some say that there is no connection with national security, I think it’s important. We have seen and heard a lot of news and even intel information that her family has connections with CCP, with China. It is important that the hearings continue and that we see this.) 

ANGELITO GUO 

Guo’s father, Chinese national Jianzhong Guo or Angelito Guo, will be invited to the next hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros. 

If he doesn’t show up, Estrada will be inclined to have him subpoenaed. 

“Marami dapat tanungin doon. Sino talaga asawa niya? Kung Intsik asawa niya, eh di Instik nanay ni Alice Guo, eh di Instik ‘yan. Instik ‘yung tatay e,” Estrada said. 

(There are many things we need to ask him. Who is his wife? If she is Chinese, that means Alice Guo’s mother is Chinese. And that will make Guo Chinese since her father is Chinese.) 

RELATED VIDEO: