Picture with Guo only for documentation - DILG chief

Metro Manila, Philippines – Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Saturday his viral photo with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia was merely for "documentation."

The picture caught the ire of many netizens online, with people asking why officials would pose with a wanted person.

Abalos was captured in photos with Guo, together with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen Rommel Marbil ahead of their departure for Manila on Thursday, Sept. 5.

In a news forum, the interior chief said he was unaware that Guo was striking a “cute” pose beside him. He also clarified that he did not take a selfie with the ex-mayor.

“If you are going to judge my character just because of one picture, huwag naman ganon (please don’t),” said Abalos.

“I’m just asking for fairness here,” he added.

Abalos also denied allegations that he is close with the ex-mayor. He said they only met once in Tarlac when Guo was still in office.

“I think it was one occasion there and iyong Tarlac Governor, si Susan Yap tinatawag lahat ng Mayor ng Tarlac…hindi ko kakilala si Alice Guo,” he said.

[Translation: I think it was one occasion in Tarlac where Governor Susan Yap called all the mayors in the province…I did not know Alice Guo directly]

Guo earlier said he asked the help of Abalos and the PNP after supposedly receiving death threats. The interior chief said he assured Guo that the police will protect her if needed.

Attendance in hearings

Despite evading Senate detention, Abalos said the dismissed mayor will attend all Senate hearings where she has an arrest order.

Guo is currently in police custody in Quezon City after she refused to post bail for graft and corruption charges.

Abalos said it is the court which decides where Guo stays.

“Ang maganda siguro ang Senado at Korte ay mag-usap na lang kung how to go about this. Basta kami susundin na lang po namin kung anong sabihin ng awtoridad,” he said.

[Translation: I think the Senate and the court should just talk about how to go about this. We will just follow what authorities say]

On Sept. 6, the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 109 has ordered the PNP to bring Guo to the Senate on Monday for the 10 a.m. hearing of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality. This is the same committee that cited Guo in contempt, leading to her initial arrest order in July.