Tarlac mayor suspended for six months in POGO probe

Alice Guo, mayor of Tarlac's Bamban town, has been ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for six months based on 'strong evidence showing their guilt' to prevent interference with an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The suspension also affects Bamban’s Business Permit and Licensing Officer and Municipal Legal Officer.

Guo maintains her innocence, stating she did nothing wrong or illegal and that the mayor's act of issuing a business permit to Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated was based on PAGCOR regulations.

Her lawyer claims Guo is unfairly implicated in issues rooted in PAGCOR’s regulatory responsibilities, while Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel says information suggests Guo attempted to obstruct an investigation after Zun Yuan was raided for alleged illegal operations including human trafficking.