(UPDATE) THE Senate on Monday took custody of Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) turned her over to ensure her attendance at a Senate inquiry on illegal online gaming.
At the same time, the NBI turned Cassandra Ong, a business partner of the fugitive ex-mayor, over to the House of Representatives, which was looking into the operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and cited her for contempt.
Both Shiela Guo and Ong had traveled out of the country with Alice Guo but were arrested in Indonesia and sent back to Manila.
The Senate assumed custody of Shiela at 12:29 p.m., where she underwent a medical checkup by Senate medical personnel.
Senate President Francis Escudero said Shiela "will be released once the committee recommends her release after she relieves herself of the contemptuous act against the committee and after I sign the release order."
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, cited Shiela and Alice in contempt for their refusal to attend the Senate investigation on the alleged illegal operations of POGOs Tarlac.
Shiela and Ong — who fled the country in mid-July but were arrested in Batam, Indonesia, last week — are scheduled to appear at a Senate hearing on the alleged illegal activities of POGOs.
The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Gen. Roberto Ancan said he has ensured the protection and safety of Shiela inside the Senate premises. A round-the-clock security team is posted near her accommodation.
Ong is the authorized representative of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. and corporate secretary of Whirlwind Corp., both POGOs in Porac, Pampanga, believed to be linked to some illegal activities.
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation escort Shiela Guo, sister of fugitive ex-Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, during her transfer of custody to the Senate on August 26, 2024. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO
"The hearings will provide an opportunity for Guo and Ong to present their statement and contribute to the ongoing discussions and investigation," said Senate spokesman Arnel Jose Bañas.
The hearing will be conducted by the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, chaired by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, as the primary committee and the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and the Senate Committee on Public Services will be the secondary and tertiary committees, respectively.
They will also tackle the proposal for the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel Alice's passport.
In the House, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, which is part of the quad committee, said they would hear Ong's testimony on Wednesday.
In an online interview on Monday, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the quad committee, said he "cannot decide alone" on whether to allow Ong "to be present at the Senate hearing" on Tuesday.
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