SC upholds Senate subpoena vs. Alice Guo

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

After missing the two hearings, the Committee issued an arrest order against Guo and cited her in contempt. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the subpoena issued by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality summoning former Bamban mayor Alice Guo to testify in its investigation.

In a decision made public on Friday, the SC En Banc dismissed Guo’s petition challenging the subpoena and asking the SC to prohibit the Senate panel from inviting her as a resource person on its inquiry into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities in Bamban, Tarlac.

After missing the two hearings, the Committee issued an arrest order against Guo and cited her in contempt.

She filed the petition before the SC, claiming that the Senate inquiry violated her constitutional rights to due process, privacy, and security. She also asked the SC to lift the contempt order against her.

In its ruling, the court 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 the public interest and upholding the law.

“Under Article VI, Section 21 of the Constitution, the Senate and its committees can conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, as long as they follow the established rules of procedure and respect the rights of persons involved,” the SC said.

The SC also said public officials have a limited expectation of privacy “when their actions involve official functions or matters of national interest.”

‘Boost’ to anti-POGO bill

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said the decision upholding the Senate’s subpoena against Guo would strengthen efforts to pass a total ban on POGOs.

“This ruling strengthens the Senate’s ability to uncover the truth in matters of urgent public interest, such as the infiltration of illegal POGO operations,” Hontiveros said.

She added that committee hearings have uncovered “abuses, criminal activities, and corruption” linked to POGOs, paving the way for the proposed Anti-POGO law. (with Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)