Ombudsman Suspends Bamban Mayor Alice Guo
ALICE GUO – The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended the mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, along with two others, for up to six months.
This suspension follows graft complaints filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) against Guo. The complaints relate to her alleged involvement with a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her area.
The DILG lodged these complaints on May 24, accusing Guo of issuing a permit to Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. despite the company not meeting the necessary requirements and having an expired license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The Ombudsman’s nine-page order highlighted concerns that Guo and the other respondents might influence witnesses or tamper with evidence due to their positions of power.
On March 13, authorities conducted a raid on a 10-hectare site run by Zun Yuan Technology Inc., uncovering devices linked to POGO activities. During this raid, over 600 individuals, both Filipinos and foreigners, were rescued. The same site had been raided in 2023 when operated by Hongsheng Technology Inc., a company now connected to Guo through her request for a letter of no objection for the complex’s license.
Further scrutiny revealed that Guo’s Filipino nationality is under question by lawmakers. Additionally, she is the incorporator of Baofu Land Development Inc., which owns the land where the POGO complex, consisting of more than 36 buildings, a swimming pool, and luxury cars, is situated. Despite these findings, Guo has denied any involvement with the POGO operations.
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros has reacted to the suspension of Mayor Alice Guo. “Nung unang bisita palang namin sa niraid na POGO sa Bamban, Tarlac, ipinanawagan ko na ang preventive suspension laban kay Mayor Alice Guo,” she said.
“We also received information that she tried to obstruct the ongoing investigation immediately after the POGO was raided. This should have already warranted a suspension. We only hope this is not too late.
Mayor Guo also undoubtedly has ties with POGO. Kahit ilang beses pa siyang magsinungaling, kahit ilang beses pa niyang hindi maalala, dokumentado ang koneksyon niya sa POGO,” she added.