North South Jorunal news team 
A six-month suspension has been imposed on Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, and two other individuals by the Office of the Ombudsman.
This occurred as a result of graft accusations brought against Guo by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) due to her alleged involvement in a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her community.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) issued a permit to Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. despite the company’s failure to comply with the requirements and its expired license. This led to the complaints, which were reportedly filed with the Office of the Ombudsman on May 24.
The Ombudsman stated in a nine-page order that there is a good chance that the respondents, given their position of authority and power, will influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence that is relevant to the case.
Authorities raided a 10-hectare property owned by Zun Yuan Technology Inc. on March 13 and discovered many devices allegedly connected to POGO operations. During the attack, more than 600 foreigners and Filipinos were saved.
When the complex was run by Hongsheng Technology Inc. in 2023, it was raided before; Guo is now connected to this company as she applied for a letter of no objection to the complex’s operating license.
Legislators are questioning Guo’s Filipino nationality. It was also discovered that Guo is the incorporator of Baofu Land Development Inc., the company that owns the property where the complex, which has over 36 buildings, a swimming pool, and expensive cars, is situated.
Guo denies any involvement in the POGO program.
