Alice Guo appeals preventive suspension over POGO links

Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has appealed her six-month preventive suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman, arguing that the accusations linking her to illegal POGO operations are based on mere speculations and surmises.

Guo's legal team filed a 31-page motion for reconsideration on Wednesday, June 5, challenging the Ombudsman's May 31 order, which they claim lacks strong evidence of guilt.

The suspension stems from an administrative complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) accusing Guo, along with Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Officer Edwin Ocampo and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua, of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The complaint is centered on the issuance of business permits for Pogos in Bamban, one of which was raided earlier this year.

Guo is being investigated following discoveries that an electric meter at the Pogo hub was registered under her name, and a vehicle found at the facility was also registered under her name.

The Ombudsman, however, stated that sufficient grounds and strong evidence of guilt were found against the three, warranting their suspension as their continued stay in office might prejudice the ongoing investigation.