LAWYER Stephen David stressed on Monday that his client, suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo is still in the Philippines.
However, he clarified that he never knows where she is or her exact location.
“Nakausap ko siya kahapon pero hindi ko alam kung saan siya. Pero 100% nasa Pilipinas siya. ‘Yun ang sinabi niya sa akin,” Guo’s lawyer Atty. Stephen David told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.
“Sabi nga niya sa akin, paano naman siya makakalabas ng Pilipinas may lookout order siya at saka ang higpit ng mga airports natin. Ayaw ko namang insultuhin ang ating mga Immigration na kaya silang palusutan ng isang tao,” he added.
David said she advised Guo to attend the Senate inquiry but the suspended mayor refused due to her “physical and emotional condition” after being “traumatized” from the hearing.
“Actually, ‘yun ang matagal ko nang advice sa kanya. Lagi ko namang nire-remind siya kasi consequences nga. Kung hindi ka maka-attend ng hearing mawa-warrant siya,” he added.
For David, however, Guo would no longer be an effective resource person for the Senate hearing because of the risk of self-incrimination considering that criminal cases have already been filed against her.
“Hindi siya magiging effective kasi any question that may be asked about what she knows ay apektado ‘yung kanyang right against self-incrimination dahil nga may criminal cases siya sa Ombudsman at saka [Department of Justice],” he said.
metrosundaily
