Hontiveros sees ‘solid’ basis for case vs Guo amid Pogo allegations

MANILA, Philippines — After an extensive executive session delving deep into Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s alleged ties to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), Senator Risa Hontiveros said the basis of cases against the mayor, whether already filed or will still be filed, have become more “solid.”

In a press conference on Wednesday, Hontiveros was asked whether she found a possible basis to file criminal and administrative cases against Guo.

“I’m more confident na talagang magiging mabigat at solido ‘yung mga kasong inihain na at maaaring ihain pa ng iba’t ibang mga ahensya ng executive ng ating gobyerno,” said Hontiveros.

The opposition senator said the truth is now coming out, not from Guo’s mouth, but from parallel investigations of government agencies.

Citing documentary evidence and input from several resource persons present during the closed-door session, Hontiveros said the evidence has not decreased nor erased allegations that Guo is tied to Pogo.

“Wala ring mas matibay na ebidensya na siya nga ay Filipino citizen. So nananatili talaga at lalo lamang naging solido ‘yung mga tanong kung siya ba ay citizen o national ng ibang bansa at hindi ng atin,” Hontiveros emphasized.

(There is also no strong evidence that she is, indeed, a Filipino citizen. So the questions regarding whether she is a citizen or a national of another country and not of ours remain and have only become more solid.)

Guo has been the subject of scrutiny after the Senate panel on women bared her alleged ties to Zun Yuan Technology, an illegal Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

READ: I am not a spy – Bamban Mayor Alice Guo

The local official, however, denied this allegation, including circulating claims that she is a Chinese spy.