Alice Guo Allegedly Offered P1 Billion to Filipino-Chinese Businessman to Resolve Legal Issues

September 12, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo allegedly offered P1 billion to resolve her legal troubles, according to former Senator Panfilo Lacson. The claim was made based on information from a Filipino-Chinese businessman who reported that Guo sought his help before fleeing the Philippines in July.

In an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo’s Kabayan, Lacson revealed that the businessman was approached by Guo through a common friend. “Si Alice Guo nag-approach sa kaniya noong bago umalis, noong medyo ipit na ipit na at nagtatago na yata. Kumontak sa kaniya through a common friend at sabi sa kaniya kung mailalapit ba niya si Alice Guo doon sa kaniyang contact [who is close with the first family] (Alice Guo approached him before she left, when she was really cornered and seemed to be hiding. She contacted him through a common friend and asked if he could connect Alice Guo with his contact),” said Lacson.

Lacson noted that the meeting with the businessman occurred before Guo’s departure from the Philippines. Lacson pointed out that Guo wanted to reach out to the Fil-Chi trader who reportedly had “connections within the circle of the first family.”

The former senator continued, “Sabi niya, ang offer daw na pera ay P1 billion basta’t matulungan lang daw siya,” (According to him, the offer was P1 billion as long as she got help.) However, Lacson clarified that the money was not intended for her escape but rather to address her legal issues with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and other concerns.

The businessman showed Lacson photos of himself with Guo as proof of their contact. “Para mapatotohanan yung kaniyang sinasabi, nagpakita siya ng litrato nilang dalawa ni Alice Guo na magkasama nga sila (To prove his story, he showed a photo of him and Alice Guo together),” Lacson said.

The former senator expressed skepticism about the businessman’s account but confirmed the offer was made. “Hindi ko naman sinasabing [completely] ko pinapaniwalaan yung kwento ng Fil-Chi na ito pero ang sabi niya ang offer daw na pera sa kaniya ay P1 billion basta’t matulungan lang daw siya,” he added.

He also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into Guo’s background and connections due to concerns over national security. Lacson warned, “Testimonials coming from her former constituents were one in saying that she’s governing well in Bamban, Tarlac. It cannot be ruled out that if she gets out of her issues now, she might run for congresswoman. And if she were a foreign spy, that is bad for us because as a member of Congress, she would have access to highly classified documents due to her high security clearance.”

Guo is currently detained at the Philippine National Police custodial center after her arrest in Indonesia on September 4. She had fled the Philippines in July following a Senate order for her arrest due to her repeated failure to participate in investigations concerning her alleged links to Philippine offshore gaming operators in Bamban, Tarlac.