Senate Inquiry Reveals Inconsistencies in Bamban Mayor Guo’s Testimony
Manila – During a Senate inquiry on Wednesday, inconsistencies in the testimony of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo raised questions about her background and affiliations.
According to Philippines News Agency, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, discrepancies between government documents and Guo’s public statements have deepened the mystery surrounding the Tarlac province official.
The inquiry, which focused on Mayor Guo’s alleged connections to raided Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in Bamban, highlighted conflicting information about her family. Senator Hontiveros pointed out contradictions in Guo’s account of her family history, noting that government records show her parents, Angelito Guo and Amelia Leal, had two other children, contradicting Guo’s claim of being an only child. Further confusion arose when Hontiveros revealed that the couple’s marriage certificate exists, but their birth certificates do not, leading to speculation about their existence.
Additionally, discrepancies in the nationality and citizenship status of Guo’s father were noted. Despite being a Chinese passport holder, he was declared a Filipino on Guo’s birth certificate, a claim that conflicts with Philippine law regarding dual citizenship. Guo maintained her innocence, stating she did not prepare her birth certificate and reaffirming her Filipino identity.
The Senate hearing also touched on Guo’s financial disclosures, with significant increases in her net worth reported in recent years, which she attributed to a loan for her piggery business. Moreover, Guo clarified her ownership of high-value assets, including a sports car and a helicopter, which have been subjects of public interest and speculation.
Senator Raffy Tulfo criticized Guo’s portrayal of her background and suggested she undergo a lie detector test to clarify her statements, to which Guo agreed. The next Senate hearing is expected to call additional witnesses, including Guo’s father and midwife, to further investigate the inconsistencies in her testimony.