Who is Alice Guo Marcos Questions Unknown Bamban Mayor Amid Investigation

janimonow

May 16

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. revealed on Thursday that Bamban Mayor Alice Guo had been under investigation for a significant period. Marcos expressed surprise over her unknown status among Tarlac politicians and questioned her legitimacy as mayor.

Long-standing Investigation

In an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos discussed the ongoing investigation into Guo. "Well, matagal na naming inimbestigahan 'yan, kaya naman nahuli 'yan eh," he stated. (We've been investigating her for a long time; that's why she was caught.)

Unfamiliar Politician

Marcos emphasized that despite knowing most politicians in Tarlac, none were familiar with Guo. "Kilala ko lahat ng mga taga Tarlac na politiko, walang may kilala sa kanya. Kaya nagtataka kami kung saan nanggaling ito. Bakit ganito ito? Hindi namin malaman," he said. (I know all the politicians in Tarlac, and no one among them knows her. So we've been wondering where she came from. How come this happened? We don't know.)

Raid and Document Findings

The investigation intensified following a raid in Bamban, where significant documents were uncovered. "Dahil ni-raid natin 'yung sa Bamban at nakita natin nga 'yung mga dokumento, na kinukwestyon ngayon natin 'yan, kung talagang totoo 'tong mga 'to, at saka paano siya tumakbo ng mayor?" Marcos questioned. (We raided the place in Bamban and we saw the documents. We are now looking into these and also how she was able to run for mayor.)

Need for Thorough Investigation

Marcos insisted that Guo should be thoroughly investigated by relevant agencies, including her citizenship status. "Kaya kailangan talagang imbestigahan. So, kasabay ng sa Bureau of Immigration, pati—siguro may magku-kwestyon ng taga citizenship. 'Yun lahat i-imbestigahan natin 'yan kasama ang imbestigasyon, hearing na ginagawa ng Senado," he added. (She really should be investigated. While checking with the Bureau of Immigration, her citizenship should also be questioned perhaps. We are going to investigate all that along with the hearing that the Senate is conducting.)

Senate Inquiry and Alleged Illegal Operations

The controversy surrounding Guo has escalated amid a Senate inquiry into alleged illegal operations at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban. The inquiry was prompted by a raid in March, which linked the POGO to human trafficking and illegal detention allegations.

Guo's Identity and Background

According to Guo's certificate of candidacy obtained by GMA Integrated News Research, she was born in 1986 in Tarlac, Tarlac. It also indicated that as of October 2021, she had been a resident of Bamban for over 18 years. Despite this, her background and rise to the mayoral position remain subjects of scrutiny.

Conclusion

President Marcos's remarks underscore the mystery and controversy surrounding Alice Guo's political standing and background. As investigations continue, the revelations may have significant implications for local governance and regulatory practices in Tarlac.