Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo avoided directly answering questions in a Senate hearing when asked if she knew Atty. Elmer Galicia, who notarized her counter-affidavit in August regarding a human trafficking case filed with the Department of Justice.
During the Senate hearing on Monday, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned Guo about her connection to Atty. Galicia. Instead of giving a direct “yes” or “no” answer, the dismissed mayor invoked her right against self-incrimination.
Senator Hontiveros pressed Guo further, but the former mayor chose to consult her legal counsel regarding the issue.
Senator Hontiveros emphasized that her question was not incriminatory, a point supported by Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
Senator Hontiveros then sought the opinion of NBI Director Jaime Santiago on the matter. Santiago confirmed that an interview was conducted with Guo, during which she acknowledged knowing Atty. Galicia. However, Guo denied ever having an interview about the issue.
Previously, in a video recorded while Guo was in Indonesia, NBI Special Task Force’s Atty. Joselito Valle asked her if she knew any lawyers. Guo replied that she knew many.
Valle followed up by asking if she knew Atty. Galicia. Guo then asked if he was referring to the lawyer who notarized her counter-affidavit, and she confirmed knowing him but declined to say when they last met.
It can be recalled that Guo’s counter-affidavit, submitted to the DOJ on August 14, became controversial after Senator Hontiveros revealed that Guo had already left the Philippines in July.
The lawyer who notarized the document may face legal consequences due to lapses in processing the affidavit.