The Supreme Court (SC) decided on August 15 to uphold the Senate's subpoena against former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who is linked to POGO and Chinese espionage.
Guo requested that the Senate Committee on Women subpoena be quashed after she failed to appear at hearings. She claimed that it violated her rights to due process and privacy.
But the SC said that the Senate's process was correct and Guo's rights were not affected. Furthermore, the investigation is part of the Senate's power to protect the public interest and respect the law.
The SC also clarified that as a government official, Guo's privacy is limited especially when it comes to matters involving national security. It also affirmed that the Senate has the power to impose contempt for Guo's flight from the country and refusal to answer a simple question.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed the decision. According to her, it strengthened the Senate's ability to seek the truth and formulate policies to protect the sovereignty of the country.
