Contempt Order Against Shiela Guo Lifted by Senate During POGO Probe
SHIELA GUO – The contempt order against Shiela Guo was recently lifted by the Senate during POGO investigation.
The Senate Committee on Women lifted its contempt order against Shiela Guo, also known as Zhang Mier, a Chinese national, on Tuesday. This decision came during the 14th and final hearing regarding former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s involvement with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Based on a report from Inquirer, Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chaired the committee, moved to lift the order.
“Shiela Guo, the Senate’s contempt order on you is lifted and I direct the [Office of the Sergeant at Arms] to transfer your custody to the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to the mission order issued by the Bureau against you,” Hontiveros said during the hearing.
Shiela, who was earlier identified as the sister of Alice Guo, had been the subject of an arrest order from the Senate after refusing to attend a committee hearing on July 10. She was taken into custody in August after being arrested in Indonesia and repatriated to the Philippines.
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According to the report, Shiela’s name surfaced as she is believed to be a co-incorporator in at least seven businesses owned by Alice Guo. The Senate panel has been investigating these businesses, especially in connection to their ties to the POGOs.
The lifting of the contempt order effectively ended Shiela’s custody by the Senate, but her legal troubles are far from over as she is now under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Immigration.
Her involvement in the ongoing investigations concerning Alice Guo and the POGOs continues to raise concerns about the extent of their business operations and connections within the country.