Senator Risa Hontiveros (left) and Bamban Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros may issue an arrest order against suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo after learning she is keen on not attending the hearing after being allegedly traumatized by questioning.
“Dapat inisip muna niya ang kahihinatnan ng pagsisinungaling at panloloko niya bago pa siya humarap sa Senado. Hindi lang siya ang traumatized. Ang mga human trafficking victims mga dayuhan at mga Pilipinong pilit na pinagtrabaho sa POGO scam compounds ang traumatized. Pati ang sambayanang Pilipino traumatized na may Chinese national na naging Mayor ng Pilipinas,” said Hontiveros in a statement.
“Mental health is important but she cannot invoke it to escape accountability, lalo na na public servant siya. She dug her own grave. We merely asked basic questions that any upright human being could answer. Ngayong na wala na siyang lusot, nagpapa-victim siya, “ added the senator.
Hontiveros said that if Guo doesn’t honor the subpoena, the Senate is well within its rights to issue an arrest order.
“Dumalo nalang siya sa hearing sa Miyerkules para wala nang drama. Mayor Alice Guo, the truth will give you peace of mind,” Hontiveros concluded.
Guo’s lawyer Stephen David said his client has been traumatized during the hearing,
“Nu’ng kausap ko siya, ang sabi niya mukhang hindi niya kaya dahil sa mga trauma na nararanasan niya. Mantakin mo naman sa dami ng mga binabatong alegasyon sa kanya tapos sinisigawan pa siya do’n. ‘Yung stress level niya masyado nang mataas. Parang natu-trauma na siya kapag naririnig niya ‘yung mga ganyang hearing e,” David said.
David added that it is up to the lawmakers if they will believe Guo’s medical reasons.
According to Guo’s lawyer, the embattled mayor has medical conditions and was given medications, but her doctors are afraid to issue a medical certificate because they might be called to testify before the Senate.
“Pinagtataka niya bakit galit na galit sa kanya ang mga netizen e samantalang wala naman siyang ninakaw, wala namang kinorap, wala namang pinatay na tao. Hindi niya maintindihan, samantalang mahal na mahal naman siya ng mga kababayan niya. Bakit ginaganyan siya? ‘Yun ang hindi niya maintindihan,” David shared.
