Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros considers appropriate the preventive suspension order against Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo yet hopes that this is not too late.
This was after the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) ordered the preventive suspension for not more than six months of Guo and two other town officials after finding that there's strong evidence against them in the administrative charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service, and gross neglect of duty.
"Dapat lang. Nung unang bisita pa lang namin sa ni-raid na POGO sa Bamban, Tarlac, ipinanawagan ko na ang preventive suspension laban kay Mayor Alice Guo (It's only right. When we first visited the POGO that was raided in Bamban, Tarlac, I already called for the preventive suspension of Mayor Alice Guo)," she said in a statement on Monday, June 3.
Earlier, authorities raided the Baofu compound where the POGO firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. is located due to suspicious activities following complaints of human trafficking and serious detention.
"We also received information that she tried to obstruct the ongoing investigation immediately after the POGO was raided. This should have already warranted a suspension. We only hope this is not too late," she added.
Hontiveros stated that Guo "undoubtedly" has ties with POGO.
"Kahit ilang beses pa siyang magsinungaling, kahit ilang beses pa niyang hindi maalala, dokumentado ang koneksyon niya sa POGO (Despite lying several times, failing to remember countless of times, her POGO connection is documented)," she said.
She reminded the public that the POGO that was raided has an alleged involvement in hacking and surveillance activities.
"POGO na puro scams, krimen, at human trafficking ang dala sa bansa (A POGO that brings with scams, crimes, and human trafficking in the country)," Hontiveros said.
"I look forward to our Executive Session soon. Inaasahan ko na mas lalong maliliwanagan tayo sa totoong papel ni Alice Guo hindi lang sa mga POGO, kundi pati sa mga banta sa ating pambansang seguridad (I expect that we will be enlightened about the role of Alice Guo not only in POGOs, but also with the threat of national security)," she added.
Hontiveros has mentioned that the Senate Committee on Women and Children may hold an executive session to hear more information about Guo's identity from intelligence officials.
She added that the panel will conduct the executive hearing even after the Senate has adjourned sessions.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a separate statement that the OMB's decision is a "move in the right direction, allowing authorities to investigate freely without fear of a cover-up while she is in office."
He added that any government officials suspected of any wrongdoing should be thoroughly investigated and held liable if found guilty.
"All elected and appointed government officials and personnel should adhere to the highest ethical standards and conduct themselves with integrity, accountability, and fairness," Gatchalian said.
"Even with the filing of charges against Mayor Guo, the Senate remains committed in fleshing out details relating to the establishment of a POGO hub in her town that we suspected to be involved in transnational crimes such as money laundering and human trafficking," he added.