The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has formally recommended the suspension of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo to the Office of the Ombudsman, citing her alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities within her jurisdiction.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos disclosed the findings of a DILG task force, which was established to investigate Guo’s connections to illegal POGO operations. “On April 5, 2024, we created a seven-member task force led by Atty—Benjamin Zabala of our Internal Audit Service to probe the allegations against Mayor Guo. The task force’s updated report, submitted today, May 17, 2024, to the Office of the Ombudsman, contains troubling findings of serious illegal acts with significant legal implications,” Abalos told ABS-CBN News via text message.
Abalos further elaborated on the necessity of a preventive suspension for Guo. “The DILG recommended to the Ombudsman the issuance of a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo to prevent any potential influence on ongoing investigations by our agency and other entities,” he added.
He clarified that the DILG cannot directly suspend or dismiss local officials. “The DILG defers to the Ombudsman regarding any sanctions that may be imposed against Guo, in line with its disciplinary authority over elective officials of local governments under Section 21 of Republic Act No. 6770,” Abalos explained.
The DILG has committed to ongoing cooperation with the Ombudsman and other investigative bodies regarding this matter. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also indicated that the government’s investigation into Guo’s identity and citizenship will persist until conclusive answers are obtained.
The controversy surrounding Guo intensified following her appearance before the Senate last week, where she faced accusations of supporting a POGO operation in Bamban. The operation, which was raided in March, uncovered evidence of human trafficking, illegal detention, physical abuse, and even torture.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, during the Senate hearing, scrutinized Guo’s background, expressing concern over reports suggesting that the mayor “came out of nowhere” during the 2022 elections. Guo’s reluctance to disclose details about her background only fueled public suspicion.
The DILG’s recommendation for Guo’s suspension marks a significant development in the government’s broader effort to clamp down on illegal POGO activities and address associated criminal activities. The Office of the Ombudsman now holds the responsibility to act on the DILG’s findings and recommendations, potentially leading to further legal and administrative actions against Guo.
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