Julio Laberon 
Looks like the plot thickens as the issues surrounding Mayor Alice Guo rolls like a multi-act drama. Each new revelation every after Senate hearing sessions in the ongoing investigation adds another layer of intrigue and complexity to the story. With alleged links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), added with her murky and confusing past, and even questions about her citizenship, accusations against her are more serious than it looks.
Can Mayor Guo redeem herself in the eyes of the public? The answer hinges on her willingness to cooperate with the investigation, answer the tough questions head-on, and perhaps even shed light on the ambiguities surrounding her past. Does this person who claim to have literally been taught by one person from kinder to high school, really not involved in any of these allegations? Transparency is crucial at this point, and her baffling statements in this case only fuel more suspicions. Even the names “Amelia Leal” and “Angelito Guo” which she claims to be her parents’, don’t even appear on the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority as per their issued documents on Senator Risa Hontiveros’ request for their Certificate of Live Birth and Certificate of Marriage. Furthermore, her background as a “household helper’s love child,” as she recently revealed, resonates with some who see her as an outsider shaking up the status quo. Even so, if Mayor Guo is truly committed to serving Bamban, she should fully cooperate with the investigation and answer the questions swirling around her as truthful as she can.
Be that as it may, the allegations against her, particularly the potential links to illegal POGO operations, raise national security concerns. The POGO industry, often associated with organized crime and money laundering, poses threat to the Philippines’ financial stability and national sovereignty. The thought of a local leader being entangled in such activities raises the chilling specter of foreign influence potentially undermining national interests. Let alone the DILG’s recommendation for her suspension, it underscores the need for a thorough investigation on Mayor Guo. The Senate hearings become even more crucial in this context, not just for the sake of Bamban’s future, but also for our country to be secured as it should be.
This evening, news channels across the Philippines will surely once again be fixated on this issue. The stakes are high, and it has transcended local politics as whispers of potential threats to national security began to surface. The outcome of the investigation will not only determine the fate of a town and its leader, but will also send a powerful message about the Philippines’ commitment to combating transnational crimes and protecting its citizens. And while the investigation is ongoing, may we all be heedful, as looks can be deceiving.
