Sual mayor denies romantic, business links with Alice Guo

ALLEGED RELATIONSHIP. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada presents to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Tuesday (Sept. 17, 2024) a photo of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and Sual, Pangasinan Mayor Liseldo Calugay wearing what Estrada called “couple shirts.” During the Senate hearing, senators grilled Calugay and Guo about their alleged relationship. (Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB)

By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency

Mayor Liseldo Calugay of Sual, Pangasinan on Tuesday denied a partnership of any kind with former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo during the continuation of the Senate hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) on Tuesday.

They’re just friends, Calugay insisted, despite the pieces of evidence presented by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, including photos of them together in each other’s campaign caravans, wearing so-called couple or identical shirts, and having the same supplier of campaign giveaways.

“Wala naman po talaga kaming relasyon,” Calugay said when asked by senators what his relationship with Guo is during the inquiry conducted by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

Like in the previous hearing, Guo denied anew that she is in a relationship with Calugay.

“Hindi ko nga alam na may gano’ng picture po,” Guo told Estrada.

Calugay likewise denied joint businesses dealings with Guo and said he has no idea who owns Alisel Aqua Farm, Alisel Consumer Goods Trading Hardware and Construction Supplies, D and A Medical Equipment and Supplies Trading, Romanz Garden Inn, Happy Penguin Resort, AC Aqua Farm, Dee Aqua Farm, Licsel Fish Farm, Dongguo Fish Farm, and Guco Aqua Farm.

Estrada said the business firms are jointly owned by Calugay and Guo.

“’Yung Donguo, Dong and Guo, and Licsel, Alice and Liseldo. Tinalo niyo pa si DongYan ha,” Estrada said of the play in their names, referring to the joint nickname of a real-life celebrity couple.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros urged Calugay to be honest with his answers.

“Mayor, ’di ba itong lahat ng mga pangalang ito pati ’yung Dee Aqua Farm na may 15 units si Cheryl Medina sa Baquioen ay talagang mukhang pinagsamang mga pangalan ninyo?” Hontiveros asked.

“Wala po akong ganyang negosyo, Your Honor. Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling,” Calugay replied.

Calugay’s name was brought up in the previous hearings after the panel found out that Medina, his executive assistant, facilitated the notarization of Guo’s counter-affidavit against her non-bailable human trafficking case.

At the time of the signing of the notarized affidavit on August 14, Guo was out of the country.

Popular

PH now ‘future-ready’ for digital realm with launch of 1st AI-driven data hub — PBBM

By Brian Campued Advancing the vision of a smarter and more digitally connected “Bagong Pilipinas,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the...

4 iconic Filipino figures to get Presidential award

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will posthumously confer the Presidential Medal of Merit on four iconic Filipino...

PBBM, First Lady to attend Pope Francis’ funeral

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will be attending the funeral of Pope...

PBBM, Japan PM Ishiba to meet April 29

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru at Malacañan Palace on April 29, the Presidential...