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

Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

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.