Ex-mayor’s legal team welcomes repatriation

MANILA, Philippines —  The legal team of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo welcomed her apprehension in Indonesia and her impending repatriation, saying this would allow them to answer allegations and issues lodged against her.

 In a statement, Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David expressed gratitude and relief at the “safe” apprehension of the dismissed mayor, saying they are deeply concerned about her health, safety and security.

 “She may not know or realize it by now, but this recent event can be a good start for all her cases,” he said.

 He said they trust Guo will show courage and resilience in answering the charges and accusations against her.

 David also urged the public to avoid making crude and malicious comments and baseless accusations as issues against Guo “will be ventilated and answered in the proper forum and before courts of competent jurisdiction.”

 He reminded that Guo, until proven otherwise, is innocent and deserves to be represented by a counsel of her choice and has the right to prove her innocence before the courts of law.

 “Rest assured that as officers of the court and as the counsel for Alice Guo, we strictly abide by our oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability and demonstrate the highest respect for the law of the land,” he said.

 Guo, who is accused of human trafficking and links to Chinese organized crime, was arrested in Tangerang City in Indonesia after she reportedly left the country last July.

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia warned Guo’s lawyers that they may be held liable for contempt after seeking an extension in answering the misrepresentation complaint against her.

“Now that it’s confirmed that she’s abroad, we want to know: did she leave the Philippines when they filed a motion for extension in our office?” Garcia said.

“Who will answer the accusations if she has left the Philippines? Her legal counsel needs to explain to our legal department,” he added.

The poll body chief maintained that Guo appears to have had no intention to return but instead escape the charges.

The commission gave Guo until last Wednesday to file her counter-affidavit but she failed to do so.

Comelec is also expected to discuss and possibly decide on filing an election offense case against Guo next week.

Garcia said that since Guo failed to submit her counter-affidavit, the Comelec law department can already terminate the preliminary investigation and submit its recommendation to the commission.

The commission will file criminal charges against Guo if it is proven that she intentionally misrepresented herself as Filipino in her certificate of candidacy.

Ong rushed to hospital

Leaders of the quad committee of the House of Representatives directed the chamber’s medical department to bring Cassandra Li Ong to a reputable hospital, if necessary, after she exhibited low blood pressure and blood sugar.

Reps. Robert Ace Barbers, Dan Fernandez and Bienvenido Abante took turns in instructing Dr. Jose Luis Bautista – House medical director – to have the joint panel’s resource person brought to a medical facility or even have the “work up” for as long as necessary.

Bautista informed the lawmakers that Ong refused to eat the food they gave her, although she ordered food from outside. He also disclosed the medical equipment could not read how low Ong’s blood sugar was Wednesday night.

Ong was eventually excused from the proceedings and was no longer directed to answer questions related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), even though she evaded most of the lawmakers’ queries.

Meanwhile, Rep. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque’s Second District called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to file charges against POGO executives soon to prevent them from fleeing the country.

DOJ Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo Jr. reported that the DOJ immediately convened a panel of prosecutors for case build-up after last week’s hearing. — Mayen Jaymalin, Delon Porcalla