The Office of the Ombudsman preventively suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo on Monday, June 3.
The suspension stemmed from the graft complaints filed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) over her purported collusion with a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her locality.
In the nine-page order issued, the Ombudsman found it a "strong probability" that Guo would use her power to manipulate evidence to her favor.
“Given [the] respondents' power and authority, there is a strong probability that they may influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence material to the case," the order said.
Preventive suspensions were also imposed on Business Permit and Licensing Officer Edwin Ocampo and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua.
“The foregoing considered, this Office finds sufficient grounds to preventively suspend Alice Guo, Edwin Ocampo and Adenn Sigua considering: that, there is strong evidence showing their guilt; that the charges against them involve grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty which may warrant their removal from the service,” the Ombudsman said.
Guo granted Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. a permit regardless of incomplete requirements, such as the lack of a fire safety inspection certificate (FSIC) and an affidavit of undertaking, as well as an expired PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) license.
The March 13 raid on Zun Yuan Technology Inc., which was previously known as Hongsheng Gaming Technology, yielded equipment allegedly connected to POGO operations. Authorities also rescued 800 Filipino and Chinese employees. The complex was also raided back in February 2023.
