Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was questioned about her assets, businesses, and personal life during a Senate hearing on May 22, 2024.
The hearing scrutinized her business transactions in the pig farming industry in Tarlac and her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
Senator Risa Hontiveros asked how Guo’s net worth increased significantly over the past six years.
“Nag-start po akong mag-work at the age of 14… nag-loan po ako sa bangko — hanggang ngayon may loan ako sa bangko na aabot sa 200-M [pesos],” Guo said.
Guo denied owning a luxury sports car. She said she borrowed it from a friend for a car show in Tarlac.
Her personal life was also brought up, with Senator Jinggoy Estrada asking about her alleged relationship with a high-ranking local official in Pangasinan.
Guo denied having a boyfriend or being in any relationship, as of this writing.
Senator Win Gatchalian also questioned the authenticity of Guo's birth certificate and her citizenship.
SUPPORTERS
In Bamban, Tarlac, Guo’s supporters gathered at the municipal hall to show their support for the mayor.
“Nakikidalamhati kami sa mayor namin sa nararamdaman niya, pinapaubaya na namin sa Panginoon ang kahihinatnan… basta si mayor namin ay isang Pilipino,” Teresita Victoria, a supporter of Mayor Guo, said.
“Mahal namin ang mayor namin,” Virginia Mayuyo, another supporter, added.
Despite the ongoing controversy, operations at the Bamban municipal hall continued.
The police maintained a visible presence, following instructions to intensify visibility, but reported no directives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) regarding the removal of the mayor's authority over the Bamban police.
“Normal ang situation sa Bamban, though ang instruction ko ay intensify visibility,” PCOL. Miguel Mendoza Guzman, Provincial Director of Tarlac Provincial Police Office, said.
BACKGROUND
Guo's identity has come under scrutiny during a Senate investigation into illegal activities at a POGO hub behind the Bamban Municipal Hall.
According to GMA Integrated News Research, Guo’s certificate of candidacy in October 2021 states she was born in 1986 in Tarlac and has resided in Bamban for over 18 years.
The POGO hub was raided earlier in March 2024 where over 800 Filipino and foreign workers were rescued, and was suspected of being involved in the so-called “love scam.”
On May 21, Guo issued an official statement saying she does not have any involvement in the illegal operations of POGO and is not a spy for any country.
