MANILA: The Senate inquiry into Alice Guo’s case took another turn on Tuesday (sEPT 17) as Sen Risa Hontiveros revealed that five more businesses appear to be registered under the names of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Dong Calugay.
During the Senate panel on women’s hearing, Hontiveros pressed Calugay to admit whether he has business ties with Guo. However, the Pangasinan mayor denied the allegations.
Following his denial, Hontiveros proceeded to show a document bearing the name of five businesses that appear to be managed by both Guo and Calugay.
“Doesn’t this document prove that these businesses are under the combined names of you and Guo Hua Ping or Alice? Take a look at it: AC Aquafarm, Dee Aqua Farm, Licsel Fish Farm, DongGuo Fish Farm, and Guco Aquafarm,” said Hontiveros.
At this point, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada interjected, explaining the links of the businesses between the two mayors.
“Madam chair, AC I think stands for Alice and Calugay,” said Estrada, to which Hontiveros answered: “Very possible.”
“The Dee Aqua Farm is Dong. Licsel, Alice, and Liseldo. DongGuo means Dong and Guo, you’re even beating DongYan. Guco stands for Guo and Calugay. Are you denying this” prodded Estrada.
DongYan – a short name for actors and real-life couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera — is a well-known love team in the Philippines.
Despite Estrada’s teasing, Calugay maintained he has no business ties to Guo.
“I have no such business, your honor. I am not lying,” said Calugay.
Earlier, Guo already denied having a business relationship with the Pangasinan chief executive. It was also Estrada who brought up the existence of a business in Pangasinan called Alisel Aqua Farm, but the dismissed Bamban mayor repeatedly insisted that the business is nonexistent.
Apart from denying their business ties, both Guo and Calugay also denied their alleged romantic relationship. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
