Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian 鈥擲enate Social Media Unit
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Senate, as a body, should file a criminal case against Alice Guo and others for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
Gatchalian floated his suggestion during the committee on women鈥檚 Monday hearing, explaining that Guo and others鈥� non-attendance to the chamber鈥檚 proceedings despite invitations and arrest orders issued, violates the law.
鈥淎gain, Alice Guo is not here, even though the police and our own Office of Sergeant at Arms are looking for her, they are even coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police鈥攖he entire Philippines knows that there is an arrest warrant against her. She was ordered arrested by the Senate but she still does not appear here鈥擨 suggest that the committee recommends to the Senate as a body to file a case against her for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code,鈥� said Gatchalian.
READ: Arrest Alice Guo, others 鈥� Senate
According to the senator, Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code pertains to disobedience to summons issued by Congress.
鈥淭o make this formal, I strongly suggest to make this part of the recommendations of the committee that the Senate, as an institution, file a case against Guo Hua Ping鈥攁ka Alice Guo and others who are not attending our committee hearing. Let鈥檚 put it formally and let there be a court case,鈥� he added.
Panel head Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed Gatchalian鈥檚 suggestion, signifying her willingness to join her fellow lawmaker in 鈥渢hat course of action.鈥� She likewise noted that the panel will invite their other colleagues to discuss the matter further.
The Senate earlier issued an arrest order against Guo and seven others for refusing to appear, despite due notices, at the committee on women鈥檚 hearing on July 10.
The document stated that Guo鈥檚 refusal to appear before the Senate 鈥渄elayed, impeded, and obstructed鈥� the inquiry into the reported violation of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture in the premises of an internet gaming licensee of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation.
Guo is subjected to scrutiny after the Senate panel on women bared her alleged ties to illegal pogo firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban, Tarlac. Questions about her citizenship were also raised, leading to allegations that she is a Chinese spy鈥攚hich she vehemently denied.
Apart from the embattled local official, arrest orders against her family members Sheila Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen Guo and her suspected mother Wen Yi Lin were likewise released.