Mayor Alice Guo: ‘Hindi ako magre-resign’
ALICE GUO – The mayor of Bamban in Tarlac stressed that she won’t resign amid investigation regarding her identity and ties with POGOs.
Alice Leal Guo, a businesswoman turned politician, currently holds the position of mayor in Bamban, Tarlac, since June 30, 2022. Guo’s tenure, however, has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding her alleged involvement with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) as highlighted by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Win Gatchalian. Questions have also arisen about her citizenship, prompting investigations into discrepancies within her documents and testimony.
Guo’s personal history is shrouded in uncertainty, with conflicting accounts regarding her birthplace, parentage, and early life. Her educational background has been a subject of scrutiny, with doubts cast on her claims of being homeschooled due to delayed birth registration and inconsistencies in her records. Her political journey began with an independent candidacy for mayor in Bamban, supported by former mayor Leonardo Anunciacion. Despite controversies surrounding her campaign and alleged ties to POGOs, Guo secured victory in the 2022 elections.
Before entering politics, Guo amassed business experience, holding significant roles in multiple companies. However, her association with firms involved in the POGO industry has come under intense scrutiny, with allegations of facilitating illegal activities. Amidst mounting pressure and calls for her suspension, Guo remains defiant, expressing her intent to seek reelection in 2025 despite facing parallel investigations by various government bodies and skepticism from political figures like President Bongbong Marcos.
“Hindi po, hindi ako magre-resign. I will continue serving my constituents,” she said in an interview with ANC.
As the controversy surrounding Guo deepens, her political future hangs in the balance, with ongoing investigations poised to determine the legitimacy of her tenure as mayor and the extent of her involvement with POGOs, shaping public perception and potentially altering the political landscape in Bamban, Tarlac.