TARLAKENYO (June 3, 2024) — Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The six months preventive suspension stemmed from the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) complaint filed on May 24 against Guo over her alleged involvement with an illegal Philippine Offshore and Gaming Operator (POGO) in her town.
Included in the suspension without pay were Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office officer Edwin Ocampo and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua “during the period of investigation until its termination, but not to exceed six (6) months.”
DILG Undersecretary for External, Legal and Legislative Affairs Juan Victor Llamas said their complaint against the Bamban mayor fell under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019.
Guo issued a business permit to POGO Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. despite failing to complete the requirements and having an expired Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp license. The same company was raided early last year by the authorities.
On Feb. 1, 2023, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Luzon swooped down on Hongsheng in Barangay Anupul.
The raid netted 850 individuals ā 500 Filipinos and 350 foreign nationals ā including alleged operator Chai Kiat Chiw, a Malaysian, for allegedly operating cryptocurrency investment scams.
