Alice Guo Dismissed Over Ties to Illegal POGO Operations

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, following an investigation that uncovered her involvement in an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub within her jurisdiction.

The decision, which was made public on August 13, found Guo guilty of grave misconduct, leading to her dismissal from service, forfeiture of all retirement benefits, and a lifetime ban from re-entering government service.

In a 25-page order, the Ombudsman detailed Guo’s actions, which included her involvement in the acquisition and reclassification of land that later became the Baofu compound—home to the illegal POGO operations.

The Ombudsman also cited Guo’s failure to revoke the business license of Hongsheng, despite a raid by authorities. She was also cited for her issuance of business permits to Zun Yuan despite its failure to acquire a fire safety inspection certificate. The decision emphasized that Guo remained the president of Baofu Land Development, Inc. even after assuming her role as municipal mayor, directly benefiting from the operations of Hongsheng and Zun Yuan.

“Needless to stress, when respondent Guo started to discharge her duties and responsibilities as Municipal Mayor, she remained to be the real, true, and actual President of Baofu Land Development, Inc., and stands to benefit from the continued operations of Hongsheng and Zun Yuan,” the Ombudsman wrote, underscoring the deliberate nature of Guo’s actions.

Zun Yuan Technology, previously called Hongsheng, was the POGO hub raided last March. It was part of the Baofu Land Development Inc. compound, located behind the Bamban Municipal Hall.

The investigation into Guo’s conduct was initiated after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed a complaint accusing her and other local officials of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The Ombudsman had previously ordered her preventive suspension last June, citing strong evidence of her involvement in the illegal activities.

The Ombudsman’s order highlighted that Guo’s actions indicated a “clear conflict of interest. The element of corruption, willful intent to violate the law, and to disregard established rules are all quite evident.”

The complaint filed by the DILG also noted that Guo failed to revoke the permits of the illegal POGO hub even after it was raided, further implicating her in the illicit operations.

To date, Guo’s whereabouts are still unknown.

Aside from Guo, the Ombudsman the following were also found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service: Bamban Vice Mayor Leonardo Asuncion, business permit and licensing officer (BPLO) Edwin Ocampo and municipal legal officer Adenn Sigua. They have been suspended for three months.

The other persons found guilty were former and incumbent members of the Sangguniang Bayan or municipal council: Jose Aguilar, Nikko Balilo, Johnny Sales, Jayson Galang, Ernesto Salting, Jose Salting Jr., Robin Mangiliman, Mary Andrei Lacsamana, and Ranier Rivera.

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