By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senate President Chiz Escudero has stated that suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo must appear first at the Senate before he will consider her requests.
Guo has missed two Senate hearings regarding the investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga. The Senate has issued a warrant for her arrest.
“While I understand her plea for consideration, I cannot accept any requests from her until she appears and complies with the Senate,” Escudero said in an interview.
“In her letter, she not only asked for understanding but also sought help from her constituents. The vice mayor has taken over to continue the government’s work in Bamban,” he added.
Earlier, Guo submitted a letter to Escudero, asking for “help” and “understanding.”
“I apologize if there was any misunderstanding regarding my previous statements,” Guo wrote in her letter.
“I did not intend to instruct or dictate to the Senate on what should be prioritized. I understand that each legislator has their duties and responsibilities to the nation,” she added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo has sent an explanation letter on Tuesday (23 July 2024) to Senate President Chiz Escudero regarding her absence from the chamber’s hearings on the investigation of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
“I would like to apologize for any misunderstandings caused by my statements,” Guo said in the letter.
“I had no intention of instructing or dictating to the Senate what should be prioritized. I understand that each legislator has their duties and responsibilities to the nation,” she added.
The suspended mayor asked for “help” and understanding.
“At present, I am unable to fulfill my duties and assist my constituents. Therefore, I am requesting your help and understanding.”
Guo further stated that she has been the target of negative posts on social media following the Senate hearings, adding that netizens have treated her as a “convicted criminal” rather than a resource person, despite the “presumption of innocence.”
“From my experience, after each Senate hearing, I become the center of negative posts on social media, as if I were already a convicted criminal and not a resource person, based on the tone and remarks of the Senators hearing my case and the POGO issue.”
It can be recalled that Guo did not attend the two latest Senate hearings and was nowhere to be found when the warrant of arrest was issued against her.
The Senate also churned out a warrant for her arrest to make sure she could attend hearings but she was nowhere to be found up until now.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero on Saturday (20 July 2024) said that suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s failure to attend the chamber’s hearings suggests she might be hiding something.
Guo did not attend the last two Senate hearings on the investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Porac, Pampanga, and Bamban, Tarlac.
“Ang kawalan ng kagustuhang sumuko at boluntaryong magpakita at sumagot sa mga simpleng katanungan, bagaman hindi siya pinepwersang umamin, ay pagpapakita na marahil ay may tinatago siya, may iniiwasan siya,” Escudero said.
The Senate has issued a warrant of arrest against Guo and seven others to ensure their attendance at the hearings.
“Hindi ito warrant of arrest para siya ay ikulong at parusahan kaugnay sa isang ginawang krimen. Ito’y warrant of arrest para tiyakin ang kanyang pagdalo sa pagdinig at sagutin ang mga katanungang ipupukol sa kanya ng mga miyembro ng Senado habang ginagalang ang kanyang mga karapatan,” he added.
The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) has prepared the detention facility for Guo and the others.
Earlier, authorities went to Guo’s farm to arrest her; however, she was not there.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros announced that Nancy Gamo, the accountant of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, is currently detained at the Senate and will appear before the committee on July 29.
“Well, sa July 29 hearing ay ihaharap na po siya and then the committee can decide kung ano po yung susunod na mangyayari,” Hontiveros said on Monday, July 15, 2024.
“Maaaring si Ms. Gamo ay maging susi sa pinakasusi. Dahil hanggang sa ngayon, ang pinakasusi pa rin sa ganitong yugto ng aming imbestigasyon ay si Guo Hua Ping mismo,” the lawmaker added.
Gamo was placed into custody following the issuance of a warrant of arrest.
The Senate issued an arrest order against Guo and seven others, including her siblings.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros said that Gamo is ‘alright.’
“As far as I know, she’s alright and yung mas kumpleto at detalyadong ulat ng OSAA (Office of the Sergeant at Arms) ” the senator said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate has ordered the arrest of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo after she skipped the hearings on the probe of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The arrest order was signed by Senate President Francis Escudero on July 11 and Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairman of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
According to the arrest order, she must be detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms “until such time that she will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges herself of that contempt.”
“The Sergeant-At-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this Order and make a return hereof within twenty-four (24) hours from its enforcement,” the arrest order stated.
It can be recalled that Guo submitted an explanation letter to the Senate for not attending the hearing, however, Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said it was “totally unacceptable.”
Dennis Lacson Cunanan, Nancy Jimenez Gamo, as well as Guo’s parents Jian Zhong Guo and Wen Yi Lin, and her siblings Seimen, Sheila, and Wesley have been ordered arrest.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Senate has cited suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo in contempt and ordered her arrest after she failed to attend the hearing on the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“The chair rules to cite in contempt Alice Guo, or Guo Hua Ping, for her to issue a warrant of arrest as moved by the Senate President Pro Tempore,” Senator Risa Hontiveros stated during the hearing of the committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality.
“The chair has ruled to cite them [for] contempt. Pagkatapos ng hearing, susulatan ng chair ang Senate President. Once i-affix ng Senate President yung citing [for] contempt ng chair, in effect, mase-set in motion na ‘yung pag-issue ng warrant of arrest,” Hontiveros added.
Others who have been cited for contempt include:
Nancy J. Gamo
Dennis Cunanan
Wenyi Lin
Seimen L. Guo
Jian Zhong Guo
Wesley Guo
Sheila Guo
Senate President Chiz Escudero previously stated that he is committed to signing the motion once the committee seeks her arrest.
Meanwhile, Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada described the letter of explanation as “totally unacceptable.”
“This letter of explanation is unacceptable. Therefore, I move that we issue a warrant of arrest for Mayor Guo to ensure her attendance at the next hearing,” he said.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that as of Tuesday, Guo has not left the country and added that airports and subports have been alerted in case she attempts to leave.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo announced she will not attend the Senate hearing on July 10 regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), citing that she is “mentally and physically” unfit to do so and her condition has not improved.
Guo stated that she has sought medical help but has been unable to obtain a medical certificate to substantiate her condition.
“Unfortunately, my condition has not improved and has even worsened. I have sought professional help, but the medical professionals I consulted refused to issue a medical certificate for fear of experiencing the same humiliation and ridicule that I am going through,” Guo said in her explanation letter.
She explained that the accusations and cases filed against her have taken a toll on her mental and physical health, making her unfit to endure the rigorous demands of a Senate hearing.
Guo also disclosed that she has been “constantly” receiving death threats, which she fears may endanger her life.
Senate President Chiz Escudero committed to signing the warrant of arrest against Guo if there is a motion from the committee handling the inquiry.
Previously, Sen. Win Gatchalian mentioned that the Senate may issue an arrest warrant if Guo and her siblings fail to attend the scheduled hearing.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo will not attend the next Senate hearing regarding the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in her town, her lawyer, Atty. Stephen David said Monday (08 July 2024).
“When I spoke with her, it seemed she couldn’t handle it due to the trauma she’s experiencing… with all the allegations being thrown at her, and she’s even being yelled at there,” David said in a radio interview on Monday, July 8, 2024.
Senator Win Gatchalian mentioned that Guo, who allegedly has connections with POGOs, might be cited for contempt if she fails to attend the Senate hearing on July 10.
The Senate may issue a warrant of arrest against Guo, he added.
David revealed that Guo has had many medical consultations, but doctors hesitate to issue a medical certificate due to fears of being summoned to Senate hearings.
“Our doctors, it’s unfortunate, because they don’t want to issue a medical certificate as they are afraid of being called to the Senate,” he said.
Meanwhile, when questioned about the suspended mayor’s citizenship, David said the issue has not yet been brought to court.
“How can it be proven when we haven’t even faced each other in court? They haven’t presented any evidence yet,” the lawyer explained.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo cannot be a state witness as she is not the “least guilty” in the illegal activities at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in the town, according to a ranking Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) official.
PAOCC stated that this is the case unless she points to someone “higher.”
“To be a state witness, one must be the least guilty in the entire conspiratorial chain in the commission of the crime,” PAOCC Spokesperson Winston Casio said in a news forum on Saturday, July 6, 2024.
“Based on the evidence we have now, she is not the least guilty, so we wouldn’t consider that discussion unless we can target someone higher up in the food chain related to this group’s crimes,” he added.
The PAOCC spokesperson noted that it would ultimately be up to the prosecutor to decide whether she can be a state witness.
Guo remains in hot water over her alleged connections to the POGO hubs in Bamban.
Previously, Senator Win Gatchalian stated that Guo cannot be a state witness as she is not the “least guilty.”
“She is at the center of the Hong Sheng POGO hub by applying for the Letter of No Objection and other local government unit (LGU) approvals,” he said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the discovery of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping are the same person based on their fingerprints, NBI Director Jaime Santiago and Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia met on Wednesday (03 July 2024) to discuss a possible disqualification case against the beleaguered local chief executive.
Despite Guo’s vehement denial that she is Chinese, the NBI recently revealed that the mayor’s fingerprints matched that of Guo Hua Ping, who came to the Philippines as a teen while using a Chinese passport.
Guo has stood firm that she’s a Filipino.
She also strongly denied that she is a Chinese “sleeper” (spy) or that she had alleged links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Santiago visited Garcia’s office upon the request of the Comelec chief.
The Comelec chief earlier disclosed that the poll body was preparing a case against Guo for allegedly misrepresenting herself as a Filipino citizen when she filed her certificate of candidacy for the 2022 mayoralty race.
Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. joined the closed-door meeting of Santiago and Garcia.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo refused to attend a Senate hearing slated for Wednesday, June 26, 2024, regarding the investigation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in her town.
“Regrettably, I would like to most respectfully inform this Honorable Committee that I cannot attend and participate in the said hearing because I personally believe that I am not fit to appear as one of the resource persons to the said inquiry,” Guo said in her letter addressed to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
The mayor stated that her exposure to the hearings has seriously impacted her physical and mental health.
“Truth be told, my exposure to prolonged stress and high levels of anxiety, owing to the concerning and malicious accusations thrown against me, has adversely affected and caused serious impact on my physical and mental health.”
“More importantly, I have been exposed to public ridicule, humiliation, and hatred for several months now, tarnishing my public image, character, and reputation. Unfortunately, I have already been prejudged guilty by the public despite the absence of any findings from the courts of law and proper tribunals,” Guo added.
Guo has been under scrutiny due to allegations of her connection with the POGO in Bamban.
The mayor’s citizenship was also questioned due to her inconsistent testimonies about her background and childhood, which were supposedly a way to prove her Filipino citizenship.
Meanwhile, Guo emphasized that she has no “ill will or slightest intent” to disrespect, disregard, or disobey the committee.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Lawyers representing embattled Bamban Mayor Alice Guo submitted a clarification letter to Malacañang on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, seeking a fair investigation into the issues against her.
The letter was delivered to the Office of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who also serves as the chairman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), to present Mayor Guo’s side amidst the ongoing controversies.
The letter addresses accusations involving Mayor Guo, including her alleged involvement with BAOFU Land Development, Inc., and other serious charges such as espionage, human trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering.
“It’s a straightforward letter addressed to the Executive Secretary in his capacity as the PAOCC chairman, expressing the mayor’s commitment to uncover the truth and ensure that justice prevails,” said Atty. Lorelei Santos.
Mayor Guo’s legal team emphasized her desire to clarify her position on these matters, to refute the serious allegations against her, and to provide clarity on the issues at hand.
In her letter, Mayor Guo also expressed her full cooperation with any investigation that may ensue.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — After finding evidence of Bamban town Mayor Alice Guo’s involvement in the illegal operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in her jurisdiction, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Saturday (15 June 2024) said it would file “serious” and “non-bailable criminal charges” against the local chief executive on Friday (June 21, 2024).
PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio on Saturday (15 June 2024) disclosed that an inter-agency body will convene next week to “decide on the charges” that will be filed against Guo, whose identity and citizenship were also shrouded by the proverbial cloud of doubt.
“Her name and her signature are in so many documents. Two nights ago we got an official document with her signature,” Casio said.
Casio’s agency raided a POGO compound built on a property that Guo allegedly owns.
“Ang usapan namin kagabi we will focus on the most serious and non bailable charges,” the PAOCC official said.
Guo however, denied having connections with the POGO involved.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Mayor Alice L. Guo of Bamban, Tarlac took a significant step today by voluntarily submitting a personal letter to the Senate Committee Secretariat.
The letter, presented by her legal counsel, addresses various issues surrounding her administration and personal life.
In her unprecedented move, Mayor Guo aims to shed light on the controversies and accusations directed towards her since the beginning of her term.
She expressed her desire for her side to be heard and for the truth to be revealed despite previous hearings.
The letter delves into key points raised against Mayor Guo, including her involvement in the BAOFU project, representation of HongSheng, appearance of her name in various documents, and accusations of espionage and money laundering. Mayor Guo passionately refuted these allegations in detail within the letter.
Additionally, she addressed personal matters such as family background, childhood experiences, and her father’s business activities while emphasizing her Filipino identity and commitment to serving with honesty and integrity.
Mayor Guo also appealed for a fair hearing before passing judgment even as she reiterated her innocence regarding accusations thrown against her and emphasized dedication to upholding dignity as a public servant.
(el Amigo/mnm)
Ni DANG SAMSON-GARCIA
“AKO po ay isang Pilipino at lalong-lalo na hindi ako isang spy!”
Ito ang binigyang-diin ni Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo matapos ang pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality kaugnay sa ni-raid na Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) sa lalawigan.
Kasabay nito, kinuwestiyon ng kampo ng alkalde ang hindi, anila, patas na pagdinig dahil na rin sa paulit-ulit na pagtatanong sa sinasabing citizenship ng alkalde.
Sa pagharap naman ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), iginiit ni Atty. Eliezer Ambatali, legal service ng ahensiya, na ang birth certificate ay isa lamang sa mga dokumentong maaaring magpatunay ng citizenship ng isang tao.
Ipinaliwanag ni Ambatali na kung ang pagbabatayan ngayon ay ang kasalukuyang birth certificate ng alkalde, maituturinng na ito ay Pilipino.
“Dineclare din po niya na Pilipino rin po siya. So based dito sa dokumentong ito, since ang pinagbabasehan po natin sa pag-establish ng citizenship ay ‘yung citizenship ng mother, at ito rin po yung mga nakalahad lamang sa birth certificate. Kung ito ay, kung ito ay ang pagbabasehan natin, sasabihin natin na ano na, Pilipino nga,” diin ni Ambatali.
Samantala, kumasa rin si Guo sa hamon ni Senador Raffy Tulfo na sumalang siya sa lie detector test upang patunayan na nagsasabi siya ng totoo kaugnay sa kanyang citizenship.
Kasunod ito ng pagtatanong ni Tulfo kaugnay sa relasyon ng pamilya ni Guo kung saan sinabi ng alkalde na hindi nila napag-uusapan ng kanyang ama ang kanyang ina dahil itinuturing nila itong sensitibong isyu.
Sinabi ng alkalde na handa siyang sumalang sa lie detector test kung ito ang makapagpapatunay na hindi siya nagsisinungaling.
Muli ring itinanggi ni Guo na may kinalaman siya sa operasyon ng POGO at lumaki siya sa farm sa Tarlac kasabay ng pahayag na marunong siyang magsalita ng kaunting Kapampangan.
Muling magtatakda ng pagdinig ang komite subalit gagawin na itong closed door dahil may mga isyung may kinalaman sa national security.
Municipality of Bamban, Tarlac
WALA po akong kinalaman sa ilegal na operasyon ng POGO sa Baofu Compound na sakop ng aming munisipyo. At HINDI rin po ako espiya ng alinmang bansa kagaya ng ibinibintang, o kaya ay iniisip ng ilang politiko na misteryo sa aking pagkakakilanlan.
Sa aking mga kababayan sa munisipyo ng Bamban na nagmamahal at sumusuporta sa akin, at sa mga politiko na maagang humusga sa aking pagkatao ay alay ko po itong aking OPISYAL NA PAHAYAG para sa ikakapayapa ng kanilang kaisipan. At upang tiyakin sa kanila at sa buong sambayanan na ako po, si Alice L. Guo, na nahalal na alkalde ng bayan ng Bamban, lalawigan ng Tarlac ay isang tunay na Pilipino sa puso, sa isip at sa gawa.
SA ISYU NG POGO
Hindi po totoo na protektor o nasa likod ako ng ilegal na operasyon ng POGO sa aming bayan. Wala rin po akong natatanggap na ano mang report sa aming munisipyo tungkol po sa mga gawaing kriminal, o labag sa batas sa loob ng POGO hub na pinatatakbo ng lisensiyado ng PAGCOR na Zun Yuan Technology, Inc. bago ito sinalakay ng mga awtoridad kamakailan.
Ang pagkakaalam ko po ay mayroong opisina ang PAGCOR doon mismo sa loob ng POGO hub sa Baofu Compound upang subaybayan, bantayan at i-regulate ang takbo ng nasabing lisensiyadong POGO operator. Ang PAGCOR, bilang siya ang may kapasidad na magmonitor at magtaya ng ano mang ilegal na online activities, ang may pangunahing responsibilidad upang i-red flag, o supilin ang ano mang paglabag sa batas o gawaing kriminal ng Zun Yuan, o mga opisyales at tauhan nito.
Kung sakali pong may reklamong ipinarating sa aming kaalaman ay palagi pong nakahanda ang aming opisina at lokal na kapulisan upang umaksiyon. Kasi sinumpaang tungkulin po namin ‘yan sa aming mamamayan.
Bahagi po ng aking sinumpaang tungkulin ang pagkakaloob ng serbisyo sa mamamayan ng Bamban, kasama rito ang anomang lehitimong pangkabuhayan para sa aming nasasakupan ‘tulad ng maayos na trabaho, na siyang dahilan kung bakit ibinigay ko ang pahintulot ng lokal na pamahalaan para sa pagtayo ng negosyo ng Zun Yuan matapos magpakita ang nasabing kompanya ng dokumento na sila ay lisensiyado ng gobyerno-nasyunal sa pamamagitan ng PAGCOR. Mahigit 200 pamilya po sa aming maliit na munisipyo ang nagkaroon ng trabaho sa POGO hub, na kahit papaano’y medyo napag-aabot na nila ang mga pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan.
SA ISYU NG AKING PAGKAKAKILANLAN
Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa mga politiko at taong-gobyerno na naguguluhan sa aking mga sagot ng nagdaang Senate hearings. At patawad na rin po sa mga senador na pilit akong inuunawa at binibigyan ng pagkakataong ipakilala ang aking pagkatao – kagaya ng magulang, pinag-aralan at iba pang may kaugnayan sa aking identity o pagkakakilanlan, pero tila po ay nabigo silang marinig ang para sa kanila ay ang tumpak at makabuluhang tugon.
Ang katotohanan po ay halos blangko ang aking isipan tuwing haharap ako sa mga senador na umuungkat sa aking pagkatao at pagkakakilanlan. Hindi po sa kadahilanang wala akong maisagot, kundi sa hangad ko pong wag magsinungaling… na siyang pinag-ugatan ng aking tugon na “hindi ko po alam your honors.”
Posible po na para sa ibang tao ay simple lamang ang mga tanong sa akin ng mga senador na nangailangan ng simpleng sagot: Sino ang mga magulang mo? Saan ka lumaki? Saan ka nag-aral? At iba pa.
Na nang sinagot ko ng kulang o hindi raw tugma sa papel na hawak nila ay maaaring espiya ako ng ibang bansa. Na dapat kasuhan. Na dapat patalsikin sa pwesto. Na dapat ikulong kasi ang sagot ko ay hindi ang nais nilang marinig. Hindi ko po sila masisisi, kasi hindi naman po nila batid na ang kasagutan na kanilang inaasahan, na maaaring magbibigay sa kanila ng kapayapaan ng pag-iisip ay siya naman pong mga sagot na sasariwa sa sugat na nalikha sa aking kamusmusan.
Alang-alang sa aking mga kababayan na nagtitiwala at nagmamahal sa akin ay buong tapang ko pong sasabihin na ako po’y isang LOVE CHILD ng mahal kong ama sa aming kasambahay. Na ako po ay iniwan ng aking biological mother bata pa ako noon. At ako’y pinalaki at itinatago sa loob ng isang farm. Pinalaking matindi ang pag-iwas sa mga bagay na magbibigay sana sa akin ng pagkakakilanlan sa labas ng aming hog raising farm.
Iyan po ang mga kadahilanan na halos wala akong matandaang karanasan na nagmula sa isang normal na kamusmusan. Totoo po ang sinabi ko sa Senado na home tutoring lang po ang edukasyon ko. Na wala akong papel o diploma ng isang pormal na edukasyon kahit ano mang baitang. At totoo pong nalaman ko na lamang ang pangalan ng aking mother ng maiparehistro ang aking kapanganakan noong ako’y isang tinedyer na.
Traumatic po sa akin ang mga tanong sa Senate hearing tungkol sa aking pagkatao, kasi ‘yan po ang mga tanong na ayaw ko na pong mabuksan, na sana ay mayroon akong mga sagot na makapagpaparamdam sa akin na ako’y isang normal din na nilalang.
Ang pag-iwas ko rin pong magsinungaling sa aking mga sagot ay sanhi ng pagmamahal ko at pag-aalala sa mahal kong ama. Sa kanyang edad na 70 ay ayaw ko na pong makaladkad siya sa aking pinagdaraanan. Nangarap po ako at nagsikap para sa isang normal na buhay sa kabila ng kakulangan sa aking pagkakakilanlan. At hangad ko noon hanggang sa ngayon na maipagmalaki ako ng aking ama kahit anak nya ako sa labas ng matrimonya.
Pinalad po ako na mahalal bilang alkalde ng Bamban. Pero hindi pa rin maiwaksi sa aking puso at isipan ang pagnanais na matagpuan at makita ang tunay kong ina, at madama ang kanyang tunay na pag-aruga, dahilan upang pinagsumikapan kong hindi mabunyag sa kahit saanmang usapan ang kanyang ginawang pag-abandona sa akin. Lalo na po sa Senado na nakatuon ang mga mata ng buong bayan. Dahil naniniwala pa rin po akong magkakatagpo kami, sana, sa tamang panahon at hindi sa pagkakataong hinugot sa isang imbestigasyon.
Sana nga po ay lumitaw na ang tunay kong ina at kanyang akuin ang pagluwal sa akin upang matigil na po ang mga pagdududa na ako’y isang espiya.
Ang hindi pagiging perpekto ng aking pagkakilanlan ang siya ring dahilan kung bakit sa edad na 38 ay pinili ko na hindi na mag-asawa, at sa halip ay itinuon na lamang ang aking panahon at ang mga biyayang ipinagkaloob ng Diyos sa pagtulong sa kapwa, higit sa lahat ay sa aking mga kababayan sa Bamban na nagtiwala sa aking katapatan at kakayahan bilang ordinaryo at simple nilang lingkod-bayan.
Bilang pangwakas ay uulitin ko na ako’y isang tunay na Pilipino… sa puso, sa isip at sa gawa. At sa aking mga kababayan na nagpamalas ng mainit na suporta ngayong nasa gitna ako ng kontrobersiya… maraming salamat po.
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In a situation reminiscent of the 2002 action-thriller movie “Bourne Identity,” the true identity of Bamban (Tarlac) Mayor Alice Guo has become a mystery. This prompted the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to recommend her preventive suspension to the Office of the Ombudsman, amid ongoing investigations into her background and alleged ties to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos on Friday (17 May 2024) said the agency began looking into Guo’s supposed involvement in POGO operations last month.
He said a task force led by lawyer Benjamin Zabala of the Internal Audit Service (IAS) led the probe.
“The task force’s updated report has been submitted today, May 17, 2024, to the Office of the Ombudsman for their appropriate action. Based on the report, there are troubling findings of serious illegal acts which may have severe legal implications,” the DILG chief said.
“The DILG recommended to the Ombudsman the issuance of a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo, to prevent any influence on the continuing investigations of our and other agencies,” Abalos said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With the controversy generated by the “puzzling citizenship” of Bamban (Tarlac) Mayor Alice Guo, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday (15 May 2024) said that his office may file a quo warranto petition questioning her right to hold public office if it finds a possible reason to do so.
Guevarra said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is now gathering relevant information on the case of Guo, who is being investigated for alleged involvement in an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hub and whose identity as a Filipino is being questioned.
“If there is good reason to believe that the subject unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, the OSG may commence action on its own. More specifically, a petition for quo warranto,” the SolGen said in his interview on GMA Integrated News.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia earlier said the OSG may file a quo warranto petition.
It was learned from the Supreme Court (SC) that a quo warranto proceeding is a legal remedy to determine a person’s right or title to a public office and to oust the holder from its enjoyment.
For her part, Guo said she had been asked by many individuals who she was since 2022.
“Ako po si Alice Guo, taga Barangay Virgen delos Remedios. Ang nanay ko po ay Pilipina. Ang tatay ko po ay isang Chinese,” Guo said then.
But Senator Risa Hontiveros has aired doubts, saying Guo’s birth certificate indicated that her father was a Filipino but was said to be Chinese in business records.
(el Amigo/MNM)