Ombudsman junks Alice Guo's bid vs suspension order

The Office of the Ombudsman has junked Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo's bid to lift the six-month preventive suspension slapped against her over her alleged links to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her jurisdiction.

The Ombudsman resolution dated June 21 said it is standing by its preliminary findings that there are sufficient grounds to hold that the evidence against Guo and the other respondents are strong.

Aside from Guo, also suspended by the Ombudsman were Bamban Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) officer Edwin Campo and Municipal Legal Officer Adden Sigua.

The Ombudsman suspended the three in May to keep them from interfering in the investigation following the complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which is accusing them of committing grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In its resolution signed by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires, there is evidence that Guo has business interest in Baofu Land Development Inc., owner of the land where the raided POGO was located. It said this was shown by a Tarlac Electric Cooperative Inc Statement of Account dated March 8, 2024 under Guo's name that was seized during the March 13, 2024 raid in the Baofu compound for alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention.

The Ombudsman also cited documents showing that Baofu and the POGO, Zun Yuan, operated their respective businesses with permits processed by the BPLO and issued by Guo, as well as documents showing that Sigua knew and had prior acquaintances with Guo since he was the one who notarized each of the Deed of Absolute Sale covering the eight parcels of land that Guo bought that later on became the compound.

"This Office only deems it prudent to preventively suspend respondents Guo, Campo and Sigua given their undeniable hand in the operation of Baofu and Zun Yuan," the Ombudsman said.

"After due consideration of the factual circumstances of the instant case, this Office finds no compelling reason to reconsider and lift the Order of preventive suspension of respondents Guo, Campo and Sigua while the case against them is pending adjudication," it added. 

Guo is also under fire due to questions over her real citizenship.

A report on Balitanghali on Tuesday said Guo's camp has received the Ombudsman resolution and is saddened by it. It added that Guo's lawyers will appeal the resolution before the Court of Appeals.

Guo's camp earlier said she is not involved in POGO-linked criminal activities. In her motion to lift the suspension, Guo maintained that she was able to legally buy a land comprising of seven hectares which formed part of her share in the partnership forged to create Baofu Land Development, Inc.

She also said she lawfully entered into contracts to sell with the original owners of the land and paid the same on an installment basis. —KBK, GMA Integrated News