19-5-2024 (MANILA) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recommended the preventive suspension of Alice Guo, the Mayor of Bamban, due to alleged “serious illegal acts” involving Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO). This move comes amidst mounting scrutiny over the mayor’s potential involvement in illicit gambling activities.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos revealed that the task force within the DILG has forwarded its recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate action against Mayor Guo. “Based on the report, there are troubling findings of serious illegal acts, which may have severe legal implications,” Abalos stated, though he refrained from specifying the exact nature of these acts out of courtesy to the Ombudsman’s ongoing investigation.
The seven-member task force, headed by Benjamin Zaballa of the DILG Internal Audit Service, was formed in April to probe allegations surrounding Guo’s purported links to an unlawful POGO operation within her municipality. Abalos confirmed that the investigation into questions concerning the mayor’s citizenship status remains ongoing.
Emphasizing the department’s commitment to upholding the law, Abalos explained, “The DILG will continue to cooperate with the Ombudsman and other investigative bodies on this important issue, united in our shared mission of protecting our local institutions and furthering public interest.”
The embattled mayor finds herself embroiled in multiple investigations, including a Senate probe into the POGO allegations and a potential quo warranto case filed by the Office of the Solicitor General, which has garnered support from two members of the House of Representatives. President Marcos has expressed his backing for a thorough investigation, citing the ongoing Senate inquiry and the fact that Tarlac politicians claim to be unfamiliar with Guo.
In a separate development, Roberto Gil del Rosario, a village official (kagawad) from Barangay Patubig in Marilao, Bulacan, confirmed in a Radyo Bandera Central Luzon interview that Guo holds a barangay business clearance for QJJ Embroidery Center, located on Maligaya Street, which she manages. Del Rosario stated that the embroidery center, which has been operational for several years and exports its products internationally, renewed its registration on January 17 of this year and is currently undergoing an expansion program.
Additionally, the village official revealed that, based on his knowledge, Guo is also involved in the Bulacan piggery industry. He added that over the years, Guo has extended invitations to Barangay Patubig officials for social gatherings, during which she conversed fluently in Tagalog.
As photographs of Guo with prominent politicians circulated on social media, senators swiftly dismissed any implications of improper ties. Among the viral images were those featuring the President himself, his sister Senator Imee Marcos, and the Chief Executive’s cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, taken during the 2022 election campaign trail.
Senator Marcos clarified that she met the mayor during a distribution of social welfare assistance in Bamban, while Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri likened such encounters to the numerous selfies he has taken with constituents, emphasizing that they do not necessarily signify personal acquaintance.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The pictures do not mean anything. We always get pictures taken with us as candidates. It does not mean we personally know them.”
However, Zubiri expressed alarm at the Senate investigation’s findings linking Guo to the recently raided Zun Yuan Technology, as she allegedly owned the Baofu Land Development where the POGO facility was leased. Although Guo claimed to have sold her shares in the company, prior to her mayoral victory in 2022, she facilitated the local permits for Hongsheng Gaming Technology – the predecessor to Zun Yuan Technology – which was also raided by authorities in February 2023.
