19-9-2024 (MANILA) The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed a significant discrepancy in the signature of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo. This revelation casts a long shadow over the already contentious case surrounding the former mayor and her alleged ties to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) industry.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago, speaking exclusively to Rappler on Wednesday, 18 September, disclosed that a dactyloscopy examination had uncovered a mismatch between Guo’s signature and the one present on her counter-affidavit. This document, notarised by lawyer Elmer Galicia, has become a pivotal piece of evidence in the unfolding drama.
The significance of this revelation cannot be overstated. It strikes at the heart of the timeline surrounding Guo’s controversial departure from the Philippines. While authorities maintain that Guo fled the country as early as July, the dismissed mayor somehow managed to file an affidavit with the Department of Justice in August – a feat that now appears to have been achieved through dubious means.
This discrepancy raises serious questions about the integrity of the notarisation process. Notarial law in the Philippines mandates that a notary public must personally witness a client’s signature at the time of notarisation. Galicia had previously insisted on his compliance with this requirement, claiming to have seen Guo in person. However, Guo’s recent arrest in Indonesia earlier this month serves as incontrovertible evidence contradicting Galicia’s assertion.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been at the forefront of investigations into Guo and POGO operations, did not mince words in her assessment of the situation. “Guo Hua Ping is a professional scam artist. Her entire identity is built on lies,” the senator declared in a strongly-worded statement.
The implications of this signature mismatch extend beyond Guo herself. In August, Justice Undersecretary Felix Nicholas Ty warned of potential penalties that the Supreme Court might impose on Galicia. These could include the cancellation of his notarial register if he is found to have committed professional lapses.
Guo’s case has become emblematic of the broader controversies surrounding the POGO industry in the Philippines. The former mayor found herself embroiled in scandal due to her incorporation of a leasing company that rented spaces to a POGO accused of trafficking and torturing its workers.
