Guo cited in contempt for evasive testimony

For the second time, the Senate cited dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo in contempt, this time for refusing to confirm her identity – whether she is Chinese citizen Guo Hua Ping – and give details on alleged threats to her life.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

The visibly exasperated senators took turns yesterday grilling Guo about her identity during the continuation of the hearing of the Senate committee on women, children and family affairs chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

Although cited again in contempt, Guo remained in the custody of the Philippine National Police and would only be placed under Senate custody if she posts bail, Hontiveros clarified.

Senators asked if she was Chinese Guo Hua Ping, to which she replied that cases have been filed against her in court.

Guo also refused to confirm the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding her fingerprints.

“Honestly, I don’t know how it happened. I just know, I know I’m Alice Guo. And I’m sorry if you don’t believe,” Guo told the committee.

She added that she “grew up knowing I was a Filipino.”

Hontiveros then moved “to cite Guo Hua Ping, alias Alice Guo, in contempt in the Senate for testifying falsely and evasively before this committee.”

Senators Joel Villanueva and JV Ejercito seconded her motion.

“You will remain in the custody of the Senate until the conclusion of this committee inquiry or until you finally recognize the authority of this body and grant even a semblance of respect for the laws of this country. The committee will coordinate with any court ordering your detention, but you need to respect the Senate,” she added.

“Alice Guo is continuing to lie to this committee despite glaring evidence that she is a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping, whose father Jian Zhong Guo is Chinese based on her own declaration in this committee and whose mother Lin Wen Yi is also Chinese based on her own declarations in bank documents verified by the AMLC,” Hontiveros said, referring to the Anti-Money Laundering Council.