16-5-2024 (MANILA) The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has launched an investigation into Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo amid suspicions about her citizenship, which surfaced during a Senate hearing examining her connections to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
“Yes, I created a special team of solicitors last week to look into the matter and determine if there is good reason to believe that the subject is unlawfully holding or exercising a public office,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra announced on Thursday.
The OSG is currently collecting pertinent information from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Bureau of Immigration, and other relevant government agencies to assess the validity of the allegations against Guo.
Last week, Guo appeared before the Senate to address accusations that she was supporting a POGO operation in Bamban, which was raided in March. Authorities uncovered evidence of human trafficking, illegal detention, physical abuse, and torture during the raid. However, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned Guo’s personal background, noting that the mayor seemed to have “come out of nowhere” during the 2022 elections. Guo’s reluctance to provide detailed information about her background further fueled public suspicion.
Guevarra stated that if evidence proves Guo is unqualified to hold office, a quo warranto case could be initiated to remove her from her position. “If it could be established by proof, the OSG will commence quo warranto proceedings to oust the person concerned,” he explained.
According to Comelec records, Guo declared herself a Filipino citizen in her certificate of candidacy. The Comelec also noted that no one challenged Guo’s qualifications during the last election, which allowed her to run and eventually secure her position as mayor.
