Ombudsman suspends Bamban Mayor Alice Guo

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and two other local government officials for up to six months.

This development came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed graft complaints against Guo over her reported involvement with a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her locality.

According to the DILG, the complaints were filed with the Office of the Ombudsman on May 24 and stemmed from the issuance of a permit to Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. despite the company failing to complete the requirements and having an expired license from the Philippine  Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

“Given [the] respondents' power and authority, there is a strong probability that they may influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence material to the case,” the Ombudsman said in a nine-page order.

Other than Guo, others ordered suspended were Business Permit and Licensing Officer Edwin Ocampo and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua.

On March 13, authorities raided a 10-hectare area operated by Zun  Yuan Technology Inc. and found several devices said to be linked to POGO operations. Over 600 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued during the raid.

The complex was previously raided in 2023 when it was operated by Hongsheng Technology Inc., which is now being linked to Guo as she applied for the letter of no objection for the complex's license to operate.

“The foregoing considered, this Office finds sufficient grounds to preventively suspend Alice Guo, Edwin Ocampo and Adenn Sigua considering: that, there is strong evidence showing their guilt; that the charges against them involves grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best Interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty which may warrant their removal from the service,” the Ombudsman said.

“Their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them,” the Ombudsman added.

Guo, whose nationality as a Filipino is being questioned by lawmakers, was also found to be the incorporator of Baofu Land  Development Inc., which owns the land where the complex — home to over  36 buildings, a swimming pool, and luxury cars — is located.

Guo has denied links to the POGO operation.

GMA News Online has reached out to Guo's counsel, Alex Advincula, for comment and will publish it as soon as it becomes available. 

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been leading the Senate inquiry on alleged criminal activities involving POGO in Bamban, said Guo's suspension is a long time coming.

"Dapat lang. Nung unang bisita pa lang namin sa ni-raid na POGO sa Bamban, Tarlac, ipinanawagan ko na ang preventive suspension laban kay Mayor Alice Guo. (This is just right. When we visited the raided POGO in Bamban, Tarlac, I already called for a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo.) We also received information that she tried to obstruct the ongoing investigation immediately after the POGO was raided. This should have already warranted a suspension," Hontiveros said.

"We only hope this is not too late. Mayor Guo also undoubtedly has ties with POGO," she added.

Hontiveros said that the POGO activities in Bamban also involve alleged hacking and surveillance activities and should not be taken lightly.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News