MANILA, Philippines – Senators on Tuesday, September 17, tried to ascertain extra hyperlinks between dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, also called Guo Hua Ping, and Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Dong Calugay.
Have been they enterprise companions? Have been they romantic companions? Have been they companions in crime?
This was their line of questioning as Calugay confronted intense scrutiny throughout his first look earlier than the Senate. He was questioned about his connections with Guo and his hyperlinks to unlawful Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in Central Luzon.
“Enterprise accomplice po ba kayo ni Guo Hua Ping, Mayor (Are you a enterprise accomplice of Guo Hua Ping, Mayor?)” Senator Risa Hontiveros requested.
Calugay responded, saying: “Wala po kami kahit na isa po na enterprise (We would not have even one enterprise).”
“Kunin ninyo ‘yung pagkakataon, ‘yung mga susunod kong tanong para sumagot nang totoo po. You might be beneath oath at hindi lang po itong huling dokumento ipapakita ko at namin sa inyo,” Hontiveros stated.
(Take the chance with my subsequent inquiries to reply in truth. You might be beneath oath, and this received’t be the final doc we’ll present you.)
Hontiveros then introduced a variety of companies which appeared to be derived from Guo’s title (Alice) and Calugay’s title. Calugay denied proudly owning any of the companies.
“AC, I believe, stands for Alice and Calugay,” quipped Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who first advised the concept of Guo and Calugay being romantic companions again in Might.
Calugay additionally stated that he neither runs neither is acquainted with Alisel Client Items Buying and selling {Hardware} and Development Provides.
Calugay’s govt assistant Cheryl Medina, listed because the proprietor of Dee Aqua Farm, denied possession, stating the farm is non-operational. She defined that she utilized for registration however didn’t proceed after discovering that authorities staff are prohibited from partaking in enterprise.
It was additionally revealed in the course of the listening to that Medina supplied assist in getting Guo’s counter affidavit for a human trafficking case notarized even when she was not within the nation.
‘Magkaibigan lang kami’
Hontiveros additionally tried to validate intel she acquired that Medina had allegedly advised individuals a few baby whose mother and father are supposedly Guo and Calugay.
“The truth is, might nakuha po kaming impormasyon na kayo mismo nagsabi sa kanila na girlfriend ni Mayor Calugay si Guo Hua Ping. Bukod pa diyan, kinuwinento niyo pa uncooked sa kanila na might anak silang dalawa,” Hontiveros stated, addressing Medina.
(The truth is, we acquired data that you just your self advised them that Guo Hua Ping is Mayor Calugay’s girlfriend. Moreover, you supposedly additionally talked about to them that they’ve a toddler collectively.)
Medina, shut aide of Calugay, denied figuring out any romantic or enterprise relationship between Guo and her boss. “Wala po, your honor (None, your honor),” Medina stated.
In the course of the listening to, Calugay maintained that his relationship with Guo is strictly platonic, regardless of pictures of them collectively at numerous occasions, and regardless of them carrying “couple shirts” in a few of them.
“Magkaibigan lang po kami (We’re simply associates),” stated Calugay, when Hontiveros requested him to explain their relationship.
Calugay, nonetheless, admitted that he gave Guo a bouquet of flowers for Valentine’s Day however insisted it was only a pleasant gesture. He defined that he first met Guo in 2016 at her farm in Tarlac whereas trying to find a poultry provider.
Hontiveros stated that her line of questioning was meant to not decide not Guo and Calugay’s romantic relationship, however to verify the opportunity of their “legal relationship.”
“Kaya inuna na namin ‘yung mga tanong na ang dali sanang sagutin nang totoo sa mga litratong iyon. Ang pinaka-interest ko po ay kung might sabwatan kayong dalawa para sa kadiliman at kasamaan,” Hontiveros added.
(That’s why we began with questions that might have been simple to reply in truth given these pictures. What I’m most serious about is whether or not the 2 of you’re concerned in any collusion of darkish and evil functions.)
Ties with POGO personalities
Hontiveros then introduced {a photograph} of Guo and Calugay with Wesley Guo, Cassandra Li Ong, and Duaren Wu, taken in February at a city marriage ceremony in Sual. Wesley is Alice’s sibling, Ong is related to POGO in Porac, Pampanga, and Wu is reportedly the “massive boss” of POGO.
“Nandyan po sila sa kasalang bayan na kababanggit niyo lang. Might photographic proof. Naalala ninyo na po?” Hontiveros requested Calugay. (They’re current on the city marriage ceremony you simply talked about. There may be photographic proof. Do you keep in mind now?)
“Noong kasalang bayan, marami pong kasama si Mayor Alice pero hindi ko po kilala yung iba,” Calugay replied. (On the city marriage ceremony, Mayor Alice had many individuals together with her, however I don’t know the others.)
Senators warned Calugay to say the reality; in any other case he can be cited in contempt. – Rappler.com
