Facing senators on Tuesday (September 17), Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo "Dong" Calugay repeatedly denied having a romantic relationship and joint ventures with dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo.
Calugay was shown numerous photos supposedly indicating his personal ties with Guo, including their attendance to each other's campaign caravan, their matching outfits, and the Sual official wearing an "Alice Guo" shirt.
"May relasyon ba kayo ni Alice?" Sen. Joel Villanueva asked. "Gusto mo ba siya? Gusto ka niya? Hindi kayo lovers in POGO? May partnership ba kayo? May bank account ba kayo together, negosyo together?"
To all these, Calugay answered in the negative.
The senators also showed documents of the alleged business links of Guo and Calugay, but he repeatedly denied knowledge of these.
Lawmakers led by panel chairperson Sen. Risa Hontiveros nonetheless estalished coordination between the respective staff of Calugay and Guo, when it came to the latter's questionable notarization of her counter-affidavit.
"Actually, wala po akong pakialam kung meron man kayong romantic relationship. We are interested in the possibility of your criminal relationship," said Hontiveros.
"Ang pinaka interes ko po ay kung may sabwatan kayong dalawa para sa kadiliman at kasamaan."
(Video courtesy of the Senate of the Philippines; Thumbnail photos: Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News)
00:00 Risa Hontiveros interpellates Dong Calugay 05:50 Jinggoy Estrada questions Calugay's absence from previous hearing 08:25 Calugay explains wearing "Alice Guo" shirt and Guo's presence at his victory caravan 10:30 "Hindi kayo lovers in POGO?" Joel Villanueva asks Calugay 11:50 Jinggoy Estrada brings up Calugay and Guo's "couple shirts" 14:10 Hontiveros quizzes Calugay on signatories for his alleged joint ventures with Guo 19:15 Hontiveros asks Calugay if he is business partners with Guo 20:00 Calugay: "Hindi po ako sinungaling at hindi ko rin po siya girlfriend" 21:35 Hontiveros shows document of businesses endorsed by Calugay 22:30 Estrada tells Calugay: "Tinalo niyo pa si DongYan" 23:05 Senators grill respective staff of Calugay and Guo about the latter's notarization mess 28:15 Asked about notarization issue, Guo invokes right against self-incrimination
