DOJ files 62 counts of graft charges vs Alice Guo
Fernan Carigma
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed 62 counts of money laundering against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, reinforcing the legal grounds for her ongoing detention at Pasig City Jail.
The charges were submitted to the Regional Trial Court in Capas, Tarlac, May 23, and are related to alleged illegal transactions involving funds from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) connected to Guo's family businesses.
The DOJ resolution showed that Guo’s real estate company-owned Baofu compound was used by Pogo operators to funnel illicit funds into legitimate family enterprises.
“The proceeds from the Pogo activities inside Baofu compound… were transferred to other legitimate businesses of the Guo family,” according to the prosecutors.
Guo's legal issues stem from multiple complaints, including graft, trafficking, falsification, and tax evasion, all of which have resulted in her prolonged detention.
In addition to 62 counts of money laundering, Guo faces serious charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Law. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has charged her with 26 counts of violating Section 4(a) for knowingly engaging in the laundering of proceeds from unlawful activities, five counts under Section 4(b) for conspiring or attempting to launder money, and 31 counts under Section 4(d) for failing to report suspicious transactions linked to illicit funds.
“This landmark case illustrates the government’s resolve to dismantle the financial machinery enabling transnational criminal enterprises,” said PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz.
In 2023 and early 2024, raids on the Baofu Land Development property, owned by Guo's real estate company, uncovered illegal POGO operations and other cybercrime activities.
Authorities have disclosed that after the initial raid on the Pogo operator, Hongsheng, another company, Zun Yuan, took over the Baofu operations and engaged in similar illegal activities.
In addition to money laundering, Guo and her family are facing separate charges for violations of the Anti-Dummy Law, perjury, obstruction of justice, and corruption related to government personnel.
Investigations revealed Guo controlled Baofu through her company despite claims of divestment, with illicit funds funneled through family businesses like QJJ Farm and QSeed Genetics.
The DOJ’s National Prosecution Service submitted over 60 boxes of documentary evidence linking Guo and 30 co-accused individuals to laundering proceeds from illicit activities.
“Upon judicious evaluation, the investigating panel found prima facie cases for money laundering with reasonable certainty of conviction,” the DOJ-NPS stated in a 49-page resolution.
Guo reportedly controlled Baofu through her company, Baofu Land Development, despite claims of divesting shares, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The DOJ-NPS report also noted that proceeds from unlawful activities were funneled through Guo’s other businesses, such as QJJ Farm and QSeed Genetics, to cover Baofu’s expenses.
“In this case, Alice used QJJ Farm and QSeed Genetics to pay electric bills and other operating costs, which were proceeds from unlawful activities,” the resolution read.
This filing represents the eighth case against Guo, who is also facing separate complaints related to corruption, a qualified trafficking case, charges of falsification, and quo warranto petitions questioning her eligibility for public office.
Guo is set to testify in a qualified trafficking case on May 28, with four other complaints under DOJ preliminary investigation, covering falsification, perjury, and obstruction of justice.