“POGO Mayor” Guo Faces Criminal Allegations, Senate Demands Answers

Senator Risa Hontiveros’s accusation that Bamban, Tarlac, Mayor Alice Guo had criminal ties has caused a stir in the Philippines.

Significant doubts concerning the “POGO Mayor’s” past are raised by the accusations, which stem from a recent Senate session.

Hontiveros drew attention to suspicious elements of Guo’s commercial dealings. Baofu Land Development documents cite several individuals as incorporators, including Guo.

Among them are Baoying Lin, who is also being prosecuted for the same offense, and Zhang Ruijin, who was just found guilty in Singapore’s worst money laundering case.

Hontiveros clarified, “These connections raise serious questions.” “Does Mayor Guo’s lavish lifestyle – helicopters and luxury cars – stem from criminal activity?”

The Senator was in favor of Guo losing control of the Bamban police force, as decided by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). “A mayor with alleged criminal ties should not have access to law enforcement,” Hontiveros said.

Guo, though, won’t acknowledge his own wrongdoing. She insists that her “friends” who supported her campaign are law-abiding individuals and asserts that she left Baofu before going into politics.

In the interim, more questions are being asked. In order to look into the claims, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is working with other authorities.

They are also investigating why the local police failed to find evidence of illegal behavior at a nearby Guo-connected POGO location.

Reports from Singapore, which describe fresh charges against Baoying Lin, such as forgery and the possession of illicit funds, feed the flames even more.

Zhang Ruijin is rumored to possess substantial outside holdings as well, which raises questions over the source of his wealth.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has also spoken in, questioning how law enforcement could have overlooked the illicit activities occurring within the POGO site—particularly with light of the PAGCOR office’s presence there.

The “POGO Mayor” scandal is still making headlines in the Philippines while investigations are ongoing.

The ruling might have a significant impact on how the nation handles operations related to offshore casinos as well as possible internal corruption.

Original Story by: Asian Gaming Brief