Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo allegedly offered ₱1 billion to make her legal troubles disappear, according to former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson.
In a radio interview on Wednesday, Lacson revealed that a Filipino-Chinese businessman, a friend of his, was approached by Guo before she fled the country in July.
The businessman was reportedly offered a substantial amount of money in exchange for helping Guo with her legal problems.
"Noong medyo ipit na ipit na at nagtatago na yata, medyo komontak sa kanya through a common friend siguro at ang sabi sa kanya kung mailalapit niya si Alice Guo sa kanyang contact. Sabi niya, ang offer daw na pera ay P1 billion basta't matulungan lang daw siya," said Lacson.
Lacson described his friend as a big businessman with dealings in China and claimed that he had connections with some personalities within the circle of the First Family. Despite meeting with Guo before her escape, the businessman did not convey her offer to his contacts.
"Their meeting took place before she went on the lam... The Filipino-Chinese trader said he did not relay the message [to his contact]," said Lacson.
Though the businessman did not confirm any business dealings with Guo, Lacson clarified that his friend is not involved in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry, directly or indirectly.
Guo is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center after her arrest in Indonesia on September 4.
She fled the Philippines in July following a Senate-issued arrest order for repeatedly failing to attend the investigation into her alleged involvement in a raided POGO operation in Bamban.
