MANILA — Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo submitted four Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to the Senate.

In her June 30, 2022 SALN, Guo listed five lots and four buildings as real properties.

She also declared owning three dump trucks, a helicopter, shares of stock in two companies, club shares in an exclusive island club, and deposits for land acquisition.

Two business interests were also declared.

But Guo filed another SALN on July 1, 2022 — just a day later. Only three lots remained in her real properties. The shares in two companies and the island club were no longer listed, nor were the deposit for land, and business interests.

The total assets amounting to P429.6 million in her June 30, 2022 SALN plunged to P286 million in the July 1, 2022 SALN.

Guo filed another SALN five months later.

In the document dated December 31, 2022, there were nine real properties again.

It also contained her shares of stock in the two companies and club shares in the island club that were originally in the June 30, 2022 SALN.

Declared as well was the same deposit for future land acquisition and two business interests.

From P286 million in July 2022, Guo’s total assets ballooned to P430.8 million in December 2022.

It took a dip again a year later according to her December 31, 2023 SALN. Guo’s total assets then was P367.2 million. Her real properties increased, however, to 17 with eight of these being residential lots in Las Piñas.

She also declared shares of stock in a new company which was added in her business interests.

Despite the inconsistencies, Guo’s counsel, Atty. Stephen David, maintained that his client did not violate the law.

“Alangan namang kasuhan mo ‘yung tao dahil hindi niya agad naalala yung mga properties niya eh lalo na kung marami kang property, ‘di ba?. Kapag naalala mo, i-correct mo, i-amend mo. Ina-allow naman ng batas ‘yan. So hindi naman talaga kataka-taka na nagkakaroon ng ganyang mga amendments,” David said.

(Why would you file a case against someone just because she did not immediately remember her properties, especially if she has several? Once you remember, you correct it, you amend it. The law allows that. So having those amendments is not questionable.)

READ: Ombudsman suspends Bamban Mayor Guo, 2 others  

BIR INVESTIGATION

David also said they welcome the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) investigation into Guo’s tax compliance. He acknowledged there might be some deficiencies, but quickly clarified that Guo will adhere to BIR’s instructions.

“Wala naman kasing 100% perfect sa pagbabayad ng buwis. Mayroon talagang mga notice of deficiency,” he remarked. “Confident kami na kung mayroon mang mga notice of deficiencies at tama naman ang kanilang assessment, eh talaga namang magbabayad tayo.”

(There is no such thing as 100% perfect in paying taxes. There really are notices of deficiency. We are confident that if there are notices of deficiencies and BIR is correct with its assessment, we will really pay.)

In a statement, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said: “Hindi na nakakagulat kung may kababalaghan din sa pagbayad ng buwis si Mayor Alice Guo. Halos lahat ng dokumento na may pangalan niya ay kwestiyonable. Mula sa birth certificate hanggang sa SALN, wala pa siyang napapaliwanag nang maayos.”

(It will not be surprise if there will be something off with Mayor Alice Guo’s payment of taxes.  Almost all documents with her name are questionable. From her birth certificate to her SALN, she has not given a proper explanation.)

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian praised BIR for acting on Guo's potential tax liabilities.

“During the last hearing, we pointed out that the declared income of the Guo companies are not commensurate to Mayor Alice Guo’s assets and investments. This is an indication that there are external sources that not declared in their company's tax returns,” Gatchalian said.