By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Office of the President has issued a memorandum directing the cancellation of the passports of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, her siblings Wesley and Sheila Leal Guo, and Cassandra Ong.
The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, instructs the cancellation of the Philippine passports of Alice Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, and Ong.
The memo states, “In the interest of justice, this Office directs that appropriate action be taken to cancel the Philippine passports of Guo, her family, and Ong.”
It further cites Republic Act No. 11983, known as the “New Philippine Passport Act,” which allows the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary to cancel passports in the interest of national security. One ground for cancellation under this law is when a court orders it due to the holder being a fugitive from justice.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval reported that Guo arrived in Indonesia on August 18. Although there is no record of her departure from the Philippines, Sandoval noted she might have left the country without completing the required immigration checks.
Guo is alleged to be involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) operations in Bamban, Tarlac.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators are calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, arguing that this move would restrict her travel.
“It’s incredibly brazen of her to misuse a Philippine passport to flee. Her passport should be nullified immediately,” said Senator Hontiveros.
“Cancelling her passport will limit her ability to travel. It will also make it easier to track her movements if she’s not constantly on the move. Furthermore, she shouldn’t have been using a Philippine passport in the first place,” she added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito also urged the DFA to revoke Guo’s passport and to request INTERPOL to issue a red notice for her.
“It seems my suspicion that Guo left through unofficial means was correct. However, we must hold the Bureau of Immigration accountable for this issue, as their representative had stated in a July 29 hearing that Guo was still in the country,” Ejercito said.
Estrada pointed to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11983, the “New Philippine Passport Act,” which allows the DFA Secretary or authorized consular officials to cancel a passport in the interest of national security.
Hontiveros had previously revealed that Guo had traveled to Malaysia and was now in Singapore, a fact later confirmed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
However, as of this posting Tuesday (20 Aug 2024), Guo’s legal counsel, Atty. Stephen David, maintains that the dismissed mayor is still in the country.
ia/mnm
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Despite recent reports, dismissed Mayor Alice Guo remains in the country, according to her legal counsel, Atty. Stephen David on Tuesday (20 Aug 2024).
David refuted Senator Risa Hontiveros’ claim that Guo had already left for Malaysia and is currently in Singapore.
“As far as I know, she’s still in the Philippines. Just last week, she visited a lawyer to swear an oath for her counter-affidavit,” David said in a radio interview.
He added, “It seems highly unlikely that she’s not in the Philippines,” expressing uncertainty about the source of Hontiveros’ information regarding Guo’s whereabouts.
However, David clarified that he did not accompany Guo when she took her oath for the counter-affidavit.
In contrast, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio confirmed that Guo has left the country.
“Based on our foreign counterparts’ immigration records, it’s confirmed that Alice Leal Guo is out of the country,” Casio stated.
(ia/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the dismissal of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for grave misconduct, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos on Wednesday (14 Aug 2024) said Municipal Councilor Erano Timbang will temporarily serve as the town mayor for three months.
The DILG chief explained that Bamban Vice Mayor Leonardo Anunciacion, the next in line of succession, was suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for three months.
“We should follow the succession,” Abalos said.
He pointed out that Timbang, the only councilor left in the municipal council, is also the sole councilor who had a “difference of opinion” about the granting of permit to the Pogo in Bamban.
“He is the only one who opposed [the Pogo permit], so he was absolved by the Ombudsman,” the DILG chief further said.
(ia/mnm)
MANILA – Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be barred from seeking reelection in the 2025 midterm elections unless she secures a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals (CA) to halt the Ombudsman’s dismissal order.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia stated that the Ombudsman’s decision is immediately executory.
“Even though it’s not final, it’s effective unless stayed by the CA. If she is perpetually disqualified from public office, Comelec will implement this. She can file a certificate of candidacy, but it will be administratively canceled,” Garcia explained during Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
On August 12, the Ombudsman dismissed Guo for grave misconduct and imposed a lifetime ban from holding public office. This decision stemmed from charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding her alleged involvement with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
Garcia emphasized that Comelec’s separate material misrepresentation complaint against Guo concerns her election credentials.
“The Ombudsman’s case involves her misconduct as a town official, whereas our issue is whether she provided false information in her candidacy. These are distinct matters,” he noted.
Comelec representatives served a subpoena to Guo in Bamban town on Tuesday related to her alleged misrepresentation in the May 2022 elections. Guo has 10 days to file her counter-affidavit, after which the case will proceed to a resolution if she does not respond.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The fingerprint of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo matched that of Guo Hua Ping based on the records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
This finding resulted from Comelec’s investigation after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) provided Ping’s fingerprint.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced on Thursday (01 August 2024) that the Commission’s fingerprint expert identified the Mayor’s fingerprint, which appeared in her Certificate of Candidacy.
“Napatunayan ng aming mga eksperto na ‘yung anim na fingerprint, dalawa mula sa NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) at kasama po doon yung Alien Certificate of Registration ng isang Guo Hua Ping at ‘yung lima pa na fingerprints nung isang Alice Guo na kumuha ng NBI clearance, at the same time, nag-apply ng candidacy, nag-apply bilang botante sa Bamban, Tarlac, bumoto noong May 2022 national and local elections at ‘yung bumoto na Alice Guo noong barangay at SK elections noong 2023 ay iisang tao lamang,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.
“And therefore, dahil iisang tao, dahil Chinese sa Guo Hua Ping, ang presumption may misrepresentation ‘yung Alice Guo na siya ay Pilipino. Ang sabi ng aming law department at panel, nangangahulugang hindi siya Pilipino and therefore dapat siyang kasuhan ng kasong kriminal,” he added.
On Monday, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition with the Manila Regional Trial Court to remove Guo from her position as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac.
(ia/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is actively searching for suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and has assured the public of their ongoing efforts, according to Director Jaime Santiago.
“We are not stopping in monitoring the whereabouts of Mayor Alice. She is sending apologies to the Senate and posting on TikTok; we’re trying to work on it,” Santiago said.
The NBI official also urged Guo to surrender to the authorities.
“She should surrender to the Senate and attend the hearing. Everything will be resolved… Remember, there are no charges against her yet; we only have a Senate warrant due to her non-attendance,” Santiago added.
However, Guo is facing a human trafficking complaint before the Department of Justice in connection with the POGO hub in Bamban.
Her citizenship is also under scrutiny in the Senate due to her inconsistent responses during the hearing.
(ia/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero on Tuesday (30 July 2024) criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) for failing to locate suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Escudero described the situation as embarrassing, noting that the Bureau of Immigration has stated that both individuals are still in the country.
“Oo, nakakahiya, kahiya-hiya para sa PNP na hindi magawa ito, lalo na na nandito pa naman daw sila sa bansa ayon sa Bureau of Immigration,” said the Senate chief.
“Maraming akusado na mas malala pa nga ang krimen, mas malalaki pa ‘yung mga kaso na hindi nila nahuhuli,” he added.
Despite this, Escudero emphasized that funding for the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation should not be reduced.
“E di lalo nilang hindi makikita ‘yung iba. Again, hindi naman ito carrot and stick [na] paparusahan mo kapag may mali, kapag hindi naubos ang budget.”
Authorities have been searching for Guo due to her repeated failure to attend Senate hearings. Despite her absences, Guo has consistently sent explanation letters to the Senate.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA – The Senate has on Monday (29 July 2024) released Nancy Gamo, the supposed accountant of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, from detention.
Senator Robin Padilla motioned for Gamo’s release after she became cooperative with the Senate.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, approved Padilla’s motion.
“Madam Chair, since she has been very cooperative with us, I request that she be released from the Senate’s custody. I so move, Madam Chair,” Padilla said.
Hontiveros then informed Gamo that she was “free” from the committee’s jurisdiction.
“Ms. Nancy, with the committee’s gratitude for your thorough and truthful answers to all our questions, you are now free from the committee’s jurisdiction,” she said.
Gamo was recently arrested by the Senate due to her continued failure to attend hearings related to the investigation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
(el Amigo/mnm)
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)