Custody transfer from the NBI: Guo sister appears in the Senate; Ong appears in the House.

Shiela Guo Turns Over to Senate Following Arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Shiela Guo, sister of the ousted Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, was handed over to the Senate on Monday by agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Her return to the Philippines comes after she and Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, a representative of a raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) in Porac, Pampanga, were arrested by Indonesian authorities and sent back to the country on August 22.

Dressed in a simple brown shirt and a black face mask, Shiela was escorted to the Senate detention facility around noon. With her hands cuffed in front, a female NBI agent guided her through the process. Shortly after her arrival, she was visited by her lawyer, Stephen David, who also represents Alice.

Roberto Ancan, head of the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms, confirmed that Shiela underwent a medical examination as part of standard protocol. Senate President Francis Escudero stated that Shiela will remain in custody unless the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, decides to lift its arrest order.

Senate spokesperson Arnel Jose Bañas announced that both Shiela and Ong, who represents the Pogo hub Lucky South 99, are set to appear in a hearing on Tuesday led by Hontiveros as chair of the Senate subcommittee on justice. Meanwhile, NBI agents also transferred Ong to the House of Representatives, where an arrest warrant for contempt had been issued against her.

Representative Robert Ace Barbers, who leads the House’s quad committee, expressed hopes that Ong could provide insights into illegal Pogo operations during the hearings.

In a twist, Ferdinand Topacio, Ong’s lawyer, questioned the legality of the NBI’s detention of his client, arguing that there was no pending case or court-issued warrant against her. After arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 around 5 p.m. last Thursday, both women were taken to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) central office in Manila for processing before being transferred to NBI custody that night.

Topacio raised concerns about why Ong was not directly handed over to the House of Representatives. The BI clarified in a statement that Ong was detained by the NBI due to charges related to a potential criminal case.

During inquest proceedings on August 24, Topacio formally objected to the charges brought against his client, emphasizing that such proceedings are typically reserved for cases involving warrantless arrests.

Surrender Feelers for Alice Guo

Meanwhile, attorney Stephen David revealed that Shiela is “ready” to testify in front of the Senate for the first time regarding investigations into the Pogo industry. “I just advised her to tell the truth… I told her to cooperate,” he shared with members of the Senate media after meeting with his client.

Shiela was initially set to testify since she has nothing to hide. However, due to pending cases against her, she may choose to invoke her right against self-incrimination on specific questions.

Regarding Alice Guo, David claimed that the fugitive mayor communicated with him over the phone, expressing her willingness to surrender to Philippine authorities after Shiela and Ong’s arrest in Indonesia. Despite previously asserting that Alice remained within the country, David admitted he had lost contact with her since her confirmation last Thursday of her intent to surrender.