Senators still not satisfied in closed-door meeting with Alice Guo

Metro Manila, Philippines — A dismissed mayor at the center of a probe on illegal offshore gaming failed to convince senators about her disclosure in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Senators agreed to hold the executive session after ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo promised to name the "most guilty" in the issue.

"Hindi pa din ako masyadong satisfied sa mga pahayag sa executive session, bagamat there was one crucial personality confirmed by Guo Hua Ping," Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

[Translation: I'm still not satisfied with the statements in the executive session, although Guo Hua Ping confirmed one crucial personality.]

Hontiveros, the Senate committee on women chairperson, is leading the investigation on Guo's links to illegal offshore gaming operations. The former mayor's Chinese citizenship is also a focus in the inquiry.

The senator said the information from Guo "corroborates a theory that the Committee shared a month ago."

Sen. JV Ejercito said the session was an "icebreaker" and just the beginning since the meeting went out of time.

He said he is hoping for more information during possible next executive meetings.

"Personally hindi ako naniniwala na isang Alice Guo ang nasa likuran ng ganitong operasyon kundi isang international crime syndicate at pawn o front lamang si Guo," Ejercito said.

"Di pa rin naman dapat i-discount ang posibilidad na si Alice ay isang ahente ng China dahil sa kanyang demeanor at magaling umiwas," he added.

[Translation: Personally, I don't believe Alice Guo is behind the operation. She is just a pawn or front of an international crime syndicate. But we should not discount the possibility that Alice is a Chinese agent because of her demeanor and her expertise to evade questions.]

Ejercito also said it was important for Guo to disclose the persons behind the syndicates.

“If she will divulge who are the masterminds behind this syndicate then she can be a state witness as she is the least guilty,” he said.

Guo maintained in Tuesday's committee hearing that she is not the mastermind of offshore gaming operations but a victim.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros said the Senate will allow police officials, especially a former Philippine National Police chief, to respond to possible ties with offshore gaming operations. The Senate inquiry showed photos of police officers with those implicated in the scandal.