For months, the name of Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, has been the center of attention and discussion throughout the Philippines. From questions about her citizenship to her involvement in the illegal operations of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), her story has been like a teleserye full of plot twists. But the most dramatic part is her escape from the country and the outcome of her return under government custody.

The Senate hearing was not just a simple hearing; it became an arena where the truth was being dug out amidst the “I don’t know” and “I don’t remember.” Shiela Guo, who was first arrested in Indonesia with Cassandra Li Ong, was the main witness in the early stages of the hearing after their escape. Before Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Shiela told a story that seemed like something out of an action movie—a sea voyage in a small boat, a transfer to a large ship, and crossing the borders of Malaysia and Singapore until she ended up in Indonesia.

However, Shiela’s testimony was immediately questioned by senators. According to Senator Hontiveros, the story of their escape by sea was riddled with holes, especially during the southwest monsoon and the waves were very dangerous. It was also inconceivable to the committee that people with billions of pesos would choose to take such a dangerous route when there was another way. What further complicated the situation was the release of documents from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showing that Shiela was the registered owner of an aqua farm in Sual, Pangasinan—something Shiela vehemently denied despite official records.

This is where Mayor Dong Calugay of Sual comes in. According to the investigation, there are links connecting Alice Guo and businesses in Pangasinan. Although Shiela admitted that she met the mayor at a restaurant in 2019, she remained elusive in giving details about how deep the Guo family’s connections are with local officials. This “selective memory” of Shiela and Alice further infuriated lawmakers, who warned that continued lying could lead to life imprisonment.

When Alice Guo was finally returned to the Philippines from Indonesia, tensions in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee reached a fever pitch. Serious accusations of money laundering, human trafficking, and being a “Chinese asset” once again took center stage. Despite her smiles in front of the cameras while in Indonesia, a different Alice Guo appeared before the Senate—one who seemed to be trying to protect a larger organization or interest. The senators emphasized that the case they were facing was no joke, with a total possible sentence of hundreds of years due to the sheer number of money laundering charges.

One of the most controversial parts of the hearing was the issue of their family. The hearing revealed that Lin Wen Yi is the alleged real mother of Wesley Guo, while the identity of Alice’s mother remains a mystery and full of contradictions. The fake passports and their rapid entry and exit from the country despite arrest warrants reveal a deep system of corruption that may have accomplices within the government itself.

Ultimately, the case of Alice Guo is not just about one individual. It is a testament to the challenges our country faces when it comes to border security, national sovereignty, and the integrity of our officials. Alice Guo’s fall from power is a warning that the law, no matter how long, will always find a way to take its toll. As the investigation continues, the Filipino people remain vigilant, waiting to see who else will be the “big fish” who will take the bait of truth. Each hearing is a step towards dismantling illegal operations that undermine the morality and security of our country.