Senator Risa Hontiveros is dissatisfied with the outcome of yesterday’s executive session held with the dismissed mayor of Bamban town, Guo Hua Ping.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, Hontiveros noted that while Guo confirmed a significant figure in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) trade, this information aligns with their initial findings shared a month ago.
Additionally, she plans to summon former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Benjamin Acorda, whose name was mentioned during yesterday’s inquiry, along with other police officers, to explain their involvement in the Senate.
“Since photos of a former PNP chief and other PNP officials with POGO figures were shown, we deem it important to provide them with a platform to respond in the interest of fairness,” the statement concluded.
During Tuesday’s hearings, Chinese businessman Yang Jian Xin, also known as Tony Yang, confirmed that he had met with police officers depicted in the images released by Hontiveros.
Yang and Sual Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo Calugay, also met separately with Acorda on distinct occasions.
Guo’s request for an executive session was granted by the committee as she sought to reveal what she considered to be the ‘most guilty’ parties involved in the POGO trade.
Earlier, Senator JV Ejercito expressed his satisfaction with this brief meeting, which lasted only a few minutes before the chamber resumed its regular session.
