The Office of the Ombudsman has rejected the motion for reconsideration filed by suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and two other officials seeking to lift their preventive suspension. The motion, filed by Mayor Guo’s camp on Thursday, aimed to overturn the suspension imposed by the Ombudsman amidst ongoing investigations into her connections with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
According to reports, Guo was implicated in supporting a large POGO compound in Bamban, Tarlac, where authorities discovered evidence of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, physical abuse, and even torture. Consequently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed a complaint against her.
In their motion, Guo’s legal team argued the supposed lack of strong evidence of guilt regarding the complaints filed by the DILG. One of Guo’s lawyers explained that the Mayor issued the permit to the POGO because it had submitted all the necessary paperwork. The lawyer further stated that Guo was merely adhering to regulations and laws in issuing the permits.
However, the Office of the Ombudsman upheld its decision to enforce the preventive suspension while a thorough investigation is conducted. According to the Ombudsman, the suspension is a measure to prevent any possibility of interference with the investigation and to ensure that no evidence is compromised.
The said POGO compound in Bamban became the center of controversy after several victims of human trafficking and detained workers, allegedly subjected to physical abuse and torture, were discovered. This led authorities to scrutinize the operations of the POGO and Mayor Guo’s role in approving its permit.
As the investigation continues, the case of Mayor Guo has elicited various reactions from the public. Some believe she is innocent and had no involvement in the illegal activities of the POGO, while others think she should be held accountable for her decisions.
Currently, Mayor Alice Guo and the two other Bamban officials remain under preventive suspension as the Office of the Ombudsman awaits the investigation’s outcome. The public and observers closely monitor the next steps of the Ombudsman and Guo’s camp in this case.
The suspension and ongoing investigation highlight the government’s commitment to addressing allegations of corruption and misconduct, especially in light of the serious accusations surrounding human trafficking and abuse associated with the POGO compound. Mayor Guo’s case serves as a critical example of the legal and administrative processes in place to ensure accountability among public officials.