Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s legal trouble is not over.
Last week, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed fresh charges against Guo over alleged tax irregularities involving a ₱3.9 billion property owned by a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm. Under Guo’s administration, the property was assessed with an annual tax of only ₱10,000.
“This is grossly disadvantageous to the government,” said NBI Director Jaime Santiago, noting that the investigation remains active with support from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
On September 4, the NBI filed two new criminal complaints against Guo, who is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail for earlier offenses.
The charges cite violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Revised Penal Code. Thirty-five individuals were named as co-accused.
In addition to the criminal cases, Guo was also found administratively liable for gross misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to public service.
Earlier cases
Guo is already facing over 60 cases across various courts.
In June 2024, she was charged with qualified human trafficking by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
These non-bailable charges stemmed from her alleged role in a POGO hub in Bamban, where authorities rescued around 500 foreign workers during a March 13 raid. Many were reportedly detained and forced to work under exploitative conditions.
Filed under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended in 2012 and 2022, the case accused Guo of participating in a “grand conspiracy to commit labor trafficking.” It was later transferred to the Pasig Regional Trial Court for impartial adjudication.
Separately, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed 62 counts of money laundering against Guo, all linked to illicit POGO funds.
Dismissal and flight
Guo, elected in May 2022, was dismissed from office in August 2024 after a Manila court ruled she is Chinese, not Filipino. The court labeled her a “usurper” and permanently barred her from holding public office.
During her term, Guo quietly approved permits for POGO hubs, including Hongsheng Gaming and Zun Yuan Technology.
Her ties to illegal POGO operations prompted the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to form a task force, following concerns raised by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
Guo gained public attention during Senate hearings, where her vague responses —particularly “hindi ko na po maalala, your honor” — drew ridicule and intensified scrutiny.
Also during the hearings, Sen. Risa Hontiveros questioned the authenticity of Guo’s birth records and citizenship claims, citing inconsistencies.
Guo, at this point, started to skip the hearings.
In July 2024, the Senate issued an arrest warrant and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) froze her assets.
Guo fled the country shortly after, according to testimony from her former companion, Shiela Guo.
Alice, Shiela, and Wesley Guo reportedly traveled by boat to Malaysia, entering Kuala Lumpur from Denpasar, Indonesia on July 18. She was later spotted at Kuala Lumpur International Airport en route to Singapore, where she stayed for nearly a month before moving to Batam, Indonesia.
The Philippine government learned of her escape only on August 19, following a disclosure by Sen. Hontiveros.
On September 3, 2024, Indonesian authorities arrested Guo in Batam and turned her over to Philippine custody.
