Ombudsman suspends Guo, 2 others over graft cases filed by DILG

MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and two others for up to six months in connection with the graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG alleged that Guo allowed illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOS) to operate in the municipality.

In an order dated May 31, the Ombudsman said it finds sufficient grounds to suspend Guo, Edwin Ocampo, and Adenn Sigua “considering that there is strong evidence showing their guilt" on the charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty.

Ocampo is with the Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office while Sigua is a municipal legal officer.

The suspension was issued as “their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them,” the Ombudsman stated.

"They are preventively suspended, without pay, during the period of investigation until its termination, but not to exceed six months," the order read.

"The order is immediately executory. Notwithstanding any motion, appeal, or petition that may be filed by respondents seeking relief from this Order, unless otherwise ordered by this Office or by any court of competent jurisdiction, the implementation of this Order shall not be interrupted within the period of prescribed."

In its complaint, the DILG questioned Guo's divestment of shares in Baufo due to the disproportionate consideration compared to her investment.

Despite the raid on Zun Yuan and its predecessor Hong Sheng Gaming Technology Inc., the DILG alleges that Guo retained financial interest in Baufo Land Development Inc., which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission for alleged human trafficking and serious illegal detention in March.

The DILG also accused Ocampo of processing permits for Zun Yuan despite incomplete documents.

Further, the DILG said Sigua failed to investigate the negligence of Sangguniang Bayan (local council) members and the Business Permit and Licensing Office.

Senate to continue probe on Guo

Meanwhile, senators are determined to pursue its probe on Guo following the Ombudsman’s suspension order.

In a statement, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she is looking forward to the scheduled executive session with concerned government agencies on June 5 regarding Guo’s ties with illegal POGOs.

"Inaasahan ko na mas lalong maliliwanagan tayo sa totoong papel ni Alice Guo hindi lang sa mga POGO, kundi pati sa mga banta sa ating pambansang seguridad (I hope that we will be more enlightened on the real role of Alice Guo not only in POGOs, but also in the threats to our national security)," Hontiveros said.

"Let us not forget, this is a POGO with alleged hacking and surveillance activities," she said, referring to the raided illegal POGO in Bamban.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the suspension order is "a move in the right direction" which will allow authorities to "investigate freely without fear of a cover-up."

"Even with the filing of charges against Mayor Guo, the Senate remains committed in fleshing out details relating to the establishment of a POGO hub in her town that we suspected to be involved in transnational crimes such as money laundering and human trafficking," he said in a statement.

Meanhwile, Senator Joel Villanueva called on concerned government agencies "to step up their game" and finally ban POGO in the country.

"I hope we can get to the bottom of this kasi this is not just a regular issue na nagkamali ang isang local government unit on dereliction of her duties na hindi bantayan yung kanyang jurisdiction (because this is not just a regular issue that a local government unit made a mistake on dereliction of her duties by not guarding her jurisdiction)," Villanueva said in a press briefing.

"This is also a call and it gives a strong signal to local government units to look into their jurisdictions na masabi natin na talagang ikaw ay tunay na lingkod-bayan at ikaw ay hindi traydor doon sa sinumpaan mong tungkulin na protektahan ang taumbayan (so that we can say that you are really a true public servant and you are not a traitor in your sworn duty to protect the people) in your areas," he said. (PNA)