SC Upholds Senate Subpoena on Alice Guo

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the legality of the subpoena issued by a Senate committee against former Bamban mayor Alice Guo at the height of the investigation on Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities last year.

- — Elizabeth Marcelo

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, the SC en banc dismissed Guo's petition filed in July last year, seeking the nullification of the subpoena issued by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality to compel her attendance during hearings.

"(The) SC affirmed that the Senate hearings followed the Constitution and the Senate Rules of Procedure. The SC emphasized that Guo's rights were not violated and the inquiry was a legitimate exercise of legislative power aimed at protecting public interest and upholding the law," the SC Office of the Spokesperson said in a statement.