The Philippines’ Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of “POGO Mayor” Alice Guo, who had been previously suspended.
An order dating from August 12th details that the former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor has been accused of grave misconduct, according to the Philippines News Agency.
The order also permanently bans Guo from holding public office as well as ordering the forfeiture of her retirement benefits.
According to the nation’s anti-graft body, Guo was intrinsically linked to offshore gaming operations (POGOs) raided in her area and that there was a “willful intent on her part to violate the law or disregard established rules,” the ombudsman’s office noted.
“The series of acts are interconnected, leaving no other conclusion than that they were committed by Guo with ulterior motive or self-interest,” cites the publication.
Guo could also potentially face further cases leveled by the government, while a further other 12 Bamban officials having been found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service by the Ombudsman, being suspended for three months.
Alice Guo has been one of the highlights of the POGO crackdown, which culminated in the banning of offshore gaming operations under PAGCOR by the nation’s President in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Guo’s arrest has already been ordered by numerous authorities, stemming from contempt to appear in front of authorities to respond to her potential links to POGO operations.
In July, Guo’s legal team asked the Supreme Court to cancel a subpoena issued by the Senate committee, chaired by Risa Hontiveros, against Guo and her family members.
