Former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo has filed a counter-affidavit urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the qualified human trafficking complaint lodged against her and several others. The complaint, related to a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her municipality where over 800 foreign nationals were rescued, is currently under DOJ review.
Guo’s counter-affidavit, filed after the complaint was submitted for resolution on August 6, denies any involvement in human trafficking, arguing that the evidence against her is insufficient. She contends that her implication is based solely on “mere electric bills and documents” from Baofu Land Development, Inc., a company in which she was once a stockholder.
She emphasized that she had sold her shares in Baofu to Jack Uy and that her position as a former mayor should not be the basis for the allegations, which she claims lack credible evidence. Guo further described the complaint as a “politically motivated smear campaign” aimed at tarnishing her reputation for others’ political gain.
Despite not attending any of the three preliminary DOJ hearings, Guo’s counter-affidavit was filed in support of her motion to reopen the investigation and admit her defense. She stated that her absence was due to concerns for her security and mental health, similar to the reasons she gave for her non-appearance before the Senate.
Recently, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Guo from service, citing the alleged inexistence of a Deed of Assignment of Shares of Stock that she claimed to have executed.