Bamban mayor Alice Guo to comply with suspension, vows to clear name

Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo on Monday said she will comply with the Ombudsman’s suspension order while stressing she did nothing wrong or illegal.

“Ako po ay sumasang-ayon sa proseso ng batas at tinatanggap ang pasya ng Ombudsman pero ilalaban ko ang aking kaso. Nais ko rin pong iparating na wala akong kasalanan at tapat akong nagsisilbi sa ating bayan at mamamayan,” Guo said in a statement after the Ombudsman suspended her and two other local government officials for up to six months.

(I am complying with the processes of the law and I accept the Ombudsman's decision, but I will contest my case. I also want to say that I have done nothing wrong and I have faithfully served our country and people.)

“Naniniwala ako na ito ay pagkakataon upang linawin ang mga paratang laban sa akin. Ako ay handang makipagtulungan sa mga kinauukulan upang masiguro ang katotohanan at hustisya,” she added. 

(I believe this is a chance to clear the allegations against me. I am ready to assist to ensure truth and justice.)

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

Guo's citizenship and identity have also been questioned in hearings on the issue at the Senate.

Guo said she was also hurt by the accusations, saying that these violated her rights.

“Napakalungkot pong aking nararamdaman dahil na rin sa mga hindi totoo at masasakit na paratang. Parang nauna nang may hatol sa akin bago pa man ako marinig. Ito ay isang paglabag sa aking karapatan bilang isang tao at bilang isang pinunong hinirang ng inyong boto,” she said.

(I feel very sad because these allegations are false and hurtful. It's as if the verdict against me had been decided before I had been heard. This violates my rights as a person and as an elected official.)

Guo said she will soldier on, and thanked her constituents for their support.

“Gayunpaman, hindi ako susuko at patuloy kong ipagtatanggol ang aking integridad at pagkatao,” she said.

(I will not give up and I will continue to defend my integrity and my person.)

“Ako ay titindig para sa katarungan at para sa mga taong maaaring mawalan din ng kanilang mga karapatan. Magsasalita ako upang ilabas ang katotohanan,” she added.

(I will stand up for justice and for those people who may also lose their rights. I will speak up so that the truth will prevail.) — BM, GMA Integrated News