The camp of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will file a motion for reconsideration.
In an interview during Dos Por Dos on Wednesday, Atty. Stephen David, Guo's legal counsel, said he believes in the integrity of Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who ordered the mayor's suspension.
"Magfi-file kami ng Motion for Reconsideration, sana with motion to lift the suspension. Naniniwala ako sa integridad ni Ombudsman, pag nag-file ako niyan makikita niya ang merit ng defense niya," said David.
David reaffirmed that the mayor has no connection to Zun Yuan Technology Inc., the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub that was raided by the government in February.
He said that the mayor only owns the land where the POGO was built, with the issuance of permits for the investors who used the land of the said firm.
"Nag-issue siya [Mayor Guo] ng permit, lahat ng mayor nag-i-issue naman ng mayor's permkit lalo kung compliant sa requirements," said David.
"Na-establish natin na wala siyang kinalaman sa POGO operations, dati lang may-ari ng lupa at nagpatayo ang investors ng building. Bago siya tumakbo ni-divest niya ang lupa," he added.
David noted that only three floors are involved in POGO and not the entire compound, adding that the POGO hub was registered with the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
"Mahigit 40 buildings ito, meron lang 3 floor ng POGO at ni-tag na nila na hub. Wala siya [Mayor Guo] participation dito. Ang layo [connection kay Mayor Guo]. Ang POGO legal 'yan pag may license," David said.
He added that Guo, as the mayor of the town, has no power to regulate the POGO firm.
"Kahit noong nag-expire noong February, nandoon pa rin sila noong time ng raid. Under the law, sino ba ang dapat mag-regulate. Hopefully tomorrow mag-file kami ng motion for reconsideration," said Guos legal counsel.
On Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered a preventive suspension of Guo and two others for up to six months in connection with the graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The DILG alleged that Guo allowed illegal POGOs to operate in the municipality.
"They are preventively suspended, without pay, during the period of investigation until its termination, but not to exceed six months," the Ombudsman's order read.
