3-6-2024 (MANILA) The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a preventive suspension on Alice Guo, the mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, due to her reported links with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operating within her municipality.
The suspension order comes on the heels of graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on May 24 against Mayor Guo for allegedly issuing permits to Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., a POGO entity, without adhering to the necessary requirements.
According to the resolution issued by the Ombudsman, the suspension will remain in effect during the period of the investigation and until its termination, with a maximum duration of six months. The preventive suspension is a measure intended to prevent officials under investigation from influencing the probe or further compromising the integrity of the process.
In addition to Mayor Guo, the Ombudsman has also suspended Edwin Ocampo, the municipality’s business and licensing officer, and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua, for their alleged roles in facilitating the issuance of permits to the POGO company.
The DILG’s complaint, which was granted by the Ombudsman, alleged that Guo and the two other officials allowed the issuance of a permit to Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. despite the company’s failure to meet the necessary requirements. Furthermore, the complaint pointed out that the POGO’s license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) had expired, yet Mayor Guo did not revoke their business permit.
The Ombudsman’s resolution highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Moreover, despite the raid of Zun Yuan and its predecessor Hongsheng, the cancellation of Honsheng’s license to operate; and the cease and desist order to operate issued by PAGCOR against Zun Yuan, Guo did not cancel or revoke their business permits because of her business interest in Baofu.”
This development comes on the heels of a recent incident in which the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission deported 165 Chinese nationals working at Zun Yuan Technology Inc., one of the POGOs allegedly tied to Mayor Guo.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been actively involved in investigating the POGO industry, expressed her support for the Ombudsman’s decision, stating, “Mayor Guo also undoubtedly has ties with POGO. No matter how many times she lies or how many times she claims not to remember, her connection to POGO is well-documented.” Hontiveros further emphasized that Guo’s alleged attempt to obstruct POGO investigations in Tarlac should have warranted a suspension on its own.
In addition to the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension, the Office of the Solicitor General has previously indicated that it is considering filing a quo warranto petition against Mayor Guo, a legal action that could potentially lead to her removal from office.
In response to the suspension order, Mayor Guo issued a statement affirming her respect for the legal process and her willingness to cooperate with the authorities. “I respect the legal process and accept the Ombudsman’s decision. I want to reiterate that I am innocent and I have served our town and its people with integrity. I believe this is an opportunity to clarify the accusations against me. I am ready to cooperate with the authorities to ensure truth and justice,” she said.
Nicole Jamilla, Guo’s legal counsel, maintained that the local government unit of Bamban is not responsible for regulating POGOs, asserting that PAGCOR is the appropriate entity tasked with overseeing such operations.
