July 10, 2024.

Senator Rosa Hontiveros, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, has called for the Senate’s arrest of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo due to her continued defiance of the Senate’s investigation into the controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), with which she is associated. Hontiveros intends to request Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to issue a warrant of arrest against Guo. Additionally, others, including Nancy Gamo, Dennis Cunanan, Wenyi Lin, Seimen L. Guo, Jian Zhong L. Guo, Sheila L. Guo, and Wesley L. Guo, have also been cited for contempt for their ongoing refusal to comply with Senate invitations.

The committee will also issue subpoenas to individuals such as Jaielyn S. Cruz, Roderick Paul B. Pujante, Juan Miguel Alpas, Katherine Cassandra Ong, Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna, Jonatan Mendoza, Ronelyn B. Baterna, Michael Bryce B. Mascarenas, Stephanie B. Mascarenas, Rodrigo A. Banda, Jing Gu, Xiang Tan, Daniel Salcedo, Jr., Chona A. Alejandre, and Duanren Wu. Senator Hontiveros also plans to summon former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to clarify his involvement with POGO companies.

Furthermore, Hontiveros aims to investigate the links between the Pharmally group and POGO operations, particularly in light of mentions of Michael Yang, previously implicated in controversies. She acknowledges the need for thorough scrutiny before connecting former President Rodrigo Duterte’s name to the POGO issue.

Here is a coverage of the Current Ph Team composed of our On-the-Job trainees of the Senate Hearing.