DILG urges Ombudsman to suspend Bamban mayor | ABS-CBN
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DILG urges Ombudsman to suspend Bamban mayor
DILG urges Ombudsman to suspend Bamban mayor
Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo during a Senate inquiry on May 7, 2024. Photo from Sen. Risa Hontiveros' Facebook page
Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo during a Senate inquiry on May 7, 2024. Photo from Sen. Risa Hontiveros' Facebook page MANILA - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the suspension of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
MANILA - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the suspension of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
A DILG task force investigating Guo’s alleged links to illegal POGO operations in her town reported “troubling findings”, according to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
A DILG task force investigating Guo’s alleged links to illegal POGO operations in her town reported “troubling findings”, according to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
“On April 5, 2024, we created a 7-man Task Force headed by Atty. Benjamin Zabala of our Internal Audit Service to investigate the allegations concerning Guo’s link to illegal POGO operations in her town. The Task Force’s updated report has been submitted today, May 17, 2024, to the Office of the Ombudsman for their appropriate action. Based on the report, there are troubling findings of serious illegal acts which may have severe legal implications,” Abalos told ABS-CBN News in a text message.
“On April 5, 2024, we created a 7-man Task Force headed by Atty. Benjamin Zabala of our Internal Audit Service to investigate the allegations concerning Guo’s link to illegal POGO operations in her town. The Task Force’s updated report has been submitted today, May 17, 2024, to the Office of the Ombudsman for their appropriate action. Based on the report, there are troubling findings of serious illegal acts which may have severe legal implications,” Abalos told ABS-CBN News in a text message.
“The DILG recommended to the Ombudsman the issuance of a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo, to prevent any influence on the continuing investigations of our and other agencies,” he added.
“The DILG recommended to the Ombudsman the issuance of a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo, to prevent any influence on the continuing investigations of our and other agencies,” he added.
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“The DILG does not have the power to directly suspend or dismiss local officials. Hence, the DILG defers to the Ombudsman regarding any sanctions that may be imposed against Guo, in line with its disciplinary authority over elective officials of local governments under Section 21 of Republic Act No. 6770,” Abalos explained.
“The DILG does not have the power to directly suspend or dismiss local officials. Hence, the DILG defers to the Ombudsman regarding any sanctions that may be imposed against Guo, in line with its disciplinary authority over elective officials of local governments under Section 21 of Republic Act No. 6770,” Abalos explained.
The DILG said it will continue to cooperate with the Ombudsman and other investigative bodies on the matter.
The DILG said it will continue to cooperate with the Ombudsman and other investigative bodies on the matter.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the government’s investigation into the identity and citizenship of Guo will continue until it gets the answers it needs.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said the government’s investigation into the identity and citizenship of Guo will continue until it gets the answers it needs.
Guo faced the Senate last week to answer allegations that she was backing a POGO operation in Bamban that was raided last March, where authorities found evidence of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, physical abuse, and even torture.
Guo faced the Senate last week to answer allegations that she was backing a POGO operation in Bamban that was raided last March, where authorities found evidence of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, physical abuse, and even torture.
But Sen. Risa Hontiveros zeroed in on Guo's personal background after receiving reports that the mayor "came out of nowhere" last 2022 elections.
But Sen. Risa Hontiveros zeroed in on Guo's personal background after receiving reports that the mayor "came out of nowhere" last 2022 elections.
Guo's apparent evasiveness to disclose her background at the Senate raised even more suspicion from the public.
Guo's apparent evasiveness to disclose her background at the Senate raised even more suspicion from the public.
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