Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is bound by law to attend the July 10 Senate hearing on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
In an interview, Escudero noted that once a court, the Senate, or Congress has issued a subpoena, Guo is already under compulsion of law.
“This means, it’s not her discretion if she will attend or she will not attend,” Escudero said.
The Senate chief, a lawyer, said Guo is obligated to attend the Senate hearing in which she was linked to the illegal POGO operations.
“So I do not support her answer or her lawyer’s answer that it is their decision or call,” Escudero said.
“And if they will not attend, it is already in the hands of Sen. Risa if she will request to issue a warrant of arrest to force them to show up in the Senate hearing,” he added.
The Senate President said he will sign the arrest warrant if Hontiveros will ask for it.
Regarding the reason raised by Guo’s lawyer Stephen David that she was traumatized due to stress suffered in the previous hearings, Escudero said the suspended mayor needs to present a medical certificate from her doctor.
Just like any reason concerning health, he said there should be sufficient reason to warrant her skipping the hearing anew.
If they cannot get a private doctor, Escudero said there is a Senate doctor who can check on Guo’s physical and mental condition.