The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality held an administrative meeting with the dismissed mayor of Banban City, Tarlac Province, Alice Guo, to disclose details she refused to reveal to the public.
Senator JV Ejercito proposed a closed-door meeting with Guo, which was eventually approved and held in the office of the Senate panel under the leadership of Majority Leader Francis Tolentino.
Ejercito stated that Guo insisted she was not the "mastermind" behind the POGO operations in Banban City, Tarlac, claiming she was "merely a victim."
"I am not guilty... It's not that I was exploited. If I ever helped anyone, I am just a helpful person. That's all. But as for those activities and accusations, I have nothing to do with them," Guo said.
"I believe that after a long investigation, the committee, especially our chairwoman, already knows who the real mastermind behind all this is," she added.
When asked if she was willing to name the "culprit," Guo gave an affirmative answer.
"Yes, Your Honor," Guo said.
Earlier, Senator Tolentino had denied Guo's request for an administrative meeting, but welcomed the dismissed mayor's response.
"I think this is the first time I've heard Alice Guo say that we are moving towards uncovering the whole story, namely the identity of the highest figure behind the Philippine POGOs. We also want to know the government personnel or officials who helped her escape, even if it was for money," Tolentino said.
Before the committee approved the motion to hold the executive session, Guo requested that the meeting be held in front of her two legal advisors, as they could not attend the hearing today.
"We will not meet again"
Finally, the committee proposed that Guo start the administrative meeting on Tuesday, with her two legal advisors participating virtually, and continue when the lawyers are physically present.
"We can just start for a few minutes, then continue next week, but please do not specify when the executive meeting will be held," Tolentino said during negotiations with Guo.
"This is the proposal we are making now, start for a few minutes. You can meet with your two legal advisors via Zoom. Then meet in person," he added.
At the persuasion of Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan, Guo agreed to the senators' proposal.
After the executive meeting, Ejercito told reporters, "We will not meet again."
According to the senator, the closed-door meeting lasted only a few minutes as the Senate convened at 3 PM.
The meeting will continue next week, with Guo promising to "recall everything."
Guo faces corruption and human trafficking charges separately in the Barrenuera Court and Pasig Court.
In addition, Ms. Guo has filed a legal writ in a Manila court requesting the revocation of her appointment as mayor of Banban City, and has also filed a lawsuit in a Tarlac court to revoke her birth certificate.
She also faces 87 money laundering charges from the Department of Justice.
Previously, at least three senators had denied Guo's request to hold an administrative meeting to secretly disclose information about her allegations related to illegal online gambling companies. Tolentino had stated that Guo must explain the truth to the public before they would approve her request for a closed-door meeting.
Guo was arrested in Indonesia on September 4 and was brought back to the Philippines on September 6.
