Mayor Guo plans to appeal preventive suspension

MANILA, Philippines – Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac will file a motion for review of the precautionary suspension imposed on her by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In an interview with dzRH, Guo’s legal advisor Stephen David insisted on the mayor’s innocence.

“We will file an application to lift the suspension. I believe in the integrity of the Ombudsman. That is why I am sure that once we file (the appeal), the Ombudsman will recognize the legitimacy of our defense,” David said.

He denied that Guo was one of the founders of the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) Zun Yuan Technology Inc.

“It was found that she is not a founder. She does not have any POGO operation. She was the previous owner of the property. Before the election, she had already divested her ownership of the property. There were 40 buildings (inside the hub) and the POGO only rented a three-story building. She is not involved in the POGO operation,” David said.

He said that POGOs are regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and that there is also a commitment from the operator that its perpetual license will be processed by PAGCOR.

“It has a provisional license, which means there was tacit approval from Pagcor. The mayor cannot do anything because a raid has already taken place,” he said.

David said Guo’s camp would file an appeal on Thursday.

The lawyer insisted that Guo is Filipina despite calls for her to undergo a DNA test to prove her citizenship, saying it is now up to prosecutors to prove that Guo is not Filipina. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Bella Cariaso, Louise Maureen Simeon