1998 textbook scam suspect resurfaces in Alice Guo case
Metro Manila, Philippines – A suspect in a multimillion-peso textbook scam more than two-and-a-half decades ago has resurfaced in another controversy yet again.
On Tuesday, Mary Ann Maslog, who resurfaced under the name Jessica Francisco after allegedly faking her death to escape a graft case, faced lengthy questioning during the 15th hearing of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality regarding illegal offshore gaming operations.
Committee chairperson and Senator Risa Hontiveros highlighted the National Bureau of Investigation's findings that matched the fingerprints of Francisco and Maslog.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada asked point-bank if she is the same Maslog facing charges at the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan related to a textbook scam involving P24 million in 1998.
Maslog declined to comment about the case, and only responded to Hontiveros' subsequent questioning on whether she knows or has met with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. She confirmed that she flew to Indonesia and met Guo who was wanted for a Senate arrest order.
“I was tapped to possibly talk to Alice,” Maslog said. She said the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) reached out to her because she is a friend of Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Dong Calugay, Guo’s alleged business partner and lover.
Maslog cited in contempt
On the contrary, PBGen Romeo Macapaz, officer-in-charge of the PNP-IG, said Maslog "volunteered" to assist the police in locating Guo. Macapaz explained that they had no leads at the time, so they decided to trust Maslog.
“Except for being a contact for Alice, she had no other authority,” Macapaz stressed. He also refuted Maslog's claim that the PNP covered her plane ticket.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa moved to cite Maslog in contempt for lying, a motion that was approved by the committee. She remained in NBI custody over a previous arrest warrant.
Palace orders
Dela Rosa said he has reliable information that Maslog had been persuading Guo to sign an affidavit implicating him, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go, and PMGen Romeo Caramat in illegal POGO operations.
“Merong tao from Malacañang na nag-uutos sa’yo. Meron akong information (You have orders from someone from Malacañang. I have information). I can pin you down,” Dela Rosa told Maslog.
Maslog denied the allegation. Dela Rosa also asked Guo herself, but she chose to “remain silent.”
