MANILA, Philippines – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros stated on Friday that former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who was recently arrested by Indonesian authorities and handed over to Filipino counterparts, ought to be detained at the Senate.

“Dapat sa Senado muna siya i-detain para makaharap sa hearing sa Lunes. Ginagalang ko ang karapatan ng Judiciary na maglabas ng warrant pero ang Senado ang may pinaka-unang arrest warrant laban sa kanya,” Hontiveros said.

“Ang Senado ang nag-trigger ng manhunt. Senate warrant ang bitbit ng ating law enforcement sa Jakarta,” Hontiveros added.

“We want answers, not a photoshoot”

The senator is also expecting candid responses from the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, when she appears before the Senate next week. She expressed frustration over how some public servants treated Guo like a celebrity.

“We want answers, not a photoshoot. Matapos nyang makipag-taguan sa batas, ginawa namang fan-meet nitong si Alice Guo ang pagkakaaresto nya. Kulang na lang, red carpet,” Hontiveros said.

“Tingnan natin kung gaano sya ka-photogenic sa hearing sa Lunes. Unli-pictures sya doon,” Hontiveros added.

Furthermore, Hontiveros criticized government officials for turning Guo’s arrest and return to the country into a “fan meet.”

“Isang paalala rin sa ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno, hindi dapat ginagawang social event ang pag-aresto sa isang puganteng sangkot sa patong-patong na kaso ng human trafficking, money laundering, fake identity, gross misconduct, illegal recruitment and detention, at corruption,” the Solon said.

“Pinaglaruan ni Alice Guo ang mga batas ng Pilipinas at ginamit nya ang posisyon nya para makapag-operate ang mga POGO na naging sangkot sa kidnapping, murder, human trafficking, at prostitution,” she added.

Hontiveros also anticipates that the former Bamban mayor will have much to explain when the Senate reconvenes on Monday, September 9, to discuss the unlawful activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

“Pagbabayaran niya ang pagsisinungaling niya, ang pagtago, pagtakas, at ang panloloko sa sambayanang Pilipino,” the senator assured.

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