Guo, 40 others to attend Senate probe today

Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, her alleged boyfriend Mayor Liseldo Calugay of Sual, Pangasinan and over 40 other resource persons are expected to attend today's Senate public hearing on reported crimes involving Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), such as scamming and human trafficking.

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, children and family affairs, is still waiting for the order of Valenzuela City Executive Judge Mateo Altajeros, who has jurisdiction over Guo Hua Ping's graft case.

Guo's criminal case was transferred to Valenzuela from Capas, Tarlac.

Last week, senators grilled Guo about her involvement in POGOS and her escape in mid-July. But Guo requested an executive session as she supposedly feared for her life.

The Senate ordered her arrest after she and her siblings failed to attend Senate hearings.

Sen. JV Ejercito said he is inclined to support Guo's request.

"I think she is just a pawn in a bigger web of an international syndicate. I hope she can... point out who is really behind the POGOs," Ejercito said over the weekend.