Special Treatment for Alice Guo?
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has denied reports that former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is receiving special treatment at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW). BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. clarified that the circulating media reports, which claimed Guo was visited by two men described as “Chinese-looking,” are false.
According to BuCor, only Guo’s lawyers are allowed to visit her, as recorded in CIW logs. CIW Chief Superintendent Marjorie Ann Sanidad also denied claims that Guo was allowed to have a personal cellphone. She emphasized that all inmates, without exception, must follow strict rules, and these regulations apply to everyone, including BuCor personnel and employees.
Currently, Guo is undergoing a five-day quarantine after being transferred from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. She was recently convicted of qualified human trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Alice Leal Guo, also known by her Chinese name Guo Hua Ping, is a Chinese-born businesswoman and former politician who served as the de facto mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, from June 2022 until August 2024. Before entering politics, she established and held shares in multiple businesses, including a car dealership and an air taxi venture.
Guo’s political career was marked by controversy, including allegations of involvement in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), human trafficking, and money laundering. She faced multiple investigations by the Senate, the Department of Justice, and the Ombudsman, which led to her suspension and eventual removal from office for grave misconduct.
In September 2024, Guo fled the Philippines but was arrested in Indonesia and deported back. In November 2025, she was convicted of qualified human trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment. Her tenure as mayor was declared void, and she was permanently barred from holding public office. Despite her wealth and business ventures, her legacy is overshadowed by legal and political controversies.