The Rise and Fall of Alice Guo: From Promising Mayor to Controversial Figure

Written by: Louise Alexandra Dia and Maria Georgina T. Silva

The case of Alice Guo (Guo) has sparked significant public interest and debate. From being summoned by the Senate for possible connections with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to being accused of being a Chinese spy and having a fake identity, widespread speculation about her background has been initiated. Her reputation took a hit during a Senate inquiry when her inability to recall details about her upbringing turned her into a viral meme and cast serious doubts on her credibility. Once seen as a rising star in politics, Guo is now viewed as a potential threat to national security. But beyond the sensational headlines, who is Alice Guo really?

Guo’s citizenship has been a big fuzz. From her statements, she lived in Bamban her entire life. Yet, investigation showed she was a resident for eighteen years only before running for mayor. The contrast with further investigation marred inconsistencies in her residency claims, such as a lack of records and contradicting details of her education and upbringing. Her fingerprints were discovered to match those of Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national, as confirmed by the NBI, raising suspicion that she is not who she says she is. 

Various business endeavors, including POGO affiliations, were then traced to Guo. Her wealth has drawn criticism, particularly when her assets were frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Council due to claims of graft and corruption in her business transactions. Her net worth has reportedly fluctuated significantly, which calls into question the legitimacy of her financial reports.

According to COMELEC spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, Guo registered to vote only in 2018, when she was already 31 or 32 years old, despite the legal voting age being 18. In her first political attempt, Guo ran as an independent candidate in the 2022 mayoral election, winning a competitive seven-way race with 16,503 votes, and defeating barangay chief Joey Salting by just 468 votes. She managed her campaign with a budget of only P134,000, covering expenses like gas, food and tarpaulin printing, just P1,024 below the legal limit of the town’s voter population.

During Senate hearings, Guo credited her campaign support to the previous Duterte administration and connections with hog farmers. Her administration has been criticized for alleged connections to POGOs operating in her jurisdiction. However, Guo pointed out that it was under Duterte that POGOs were permitted, leading to the influx of both legal and illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines.

Investigations into Guo’s conduct led to a quo warranto case filed against her, challenging her eligibility to hold public office on the grounds of her citizenship and identity. The Office of the Ombudsman, on August 12, 2024, then ordered Guo’s dismissal from service for grave misconduct related to her involvement with illegal POGO operation. The Ombudsman also mandated the forfeiture of her retirement benefits and banned her from holding public office in the future.

·     1. Birth Certificate cancellation case filed by the PSA for failure to submit the supporting documents for late registration. Memorandum Circular No. 2024-17 provides that the mandatory documents for late registration include barangay certification, documentary evidence showing the identity of the parents, and an unedited photo of the registrant. Further, personal appearance is required if the applicant is at least 18 years of age. 

2. A pattern of falsehoods was found in Alice’s birth certificate, including those of Sheila, Siemen, and Wesley, the supposed siblings of the former. Hence, making the entries deliberate falsehoods rather than mere mistakes or errors. Moreover, Guo’s birth certificate application happened when she was already 19 years old, however, it was Angelito Guo, Alice’s supposed father, who submitted the documents for late registration.  Thus, making Alice Guo’s birth certificate null and void;

3. The DFA also canceled her passport after confirmation that her biometrics matched that of “Guo Hua Ping”, a Chinese national, in the NBI files. The New Philippine Passport Law, particularly Sec. 10(b)(4) in relation to Sec. 10(b)(4), allows the DFA to cancel passports fraudulently, tampered with, or issued erroneously; and 

·      4. Qualified Human Trafficking case filed by the DOJ against Alice Guo and several others, including Huang Zhiyang, for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended. Her involvement with the human trafficking case stemmed from a leasing company that has ties with the POGO hub Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., which was raided in Bamban.

With her alleged involvement with the illegal activities within Bamban, a question was raised about her being a Chinese spy collecting intelligence for the political and economic interests of the Chinese Government. In a documentary, She Zhijiang claimed that Guo is an agent of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, and once asked the former for campaign funds for the 2022 elections. Guo, however, denied all accusations linking her to the Chinese Government.

From Aspirations to Caution

            In an interview, Guo’s counsel said that she seeks to run for re-election in the May 2025 midterm elections, which she retracted shortly thereafter. Indeed, Guo is novel in the Philippines, which makes her case very distinct and even harder to resolve for authorities. Who could have imagined that the promise of POGOs, like job opportunities and revenues to fuel our economy, belies a nightmare for innocent people?

Many elective candidates show that they can relate to the simple and non-glamorous life of the masses. However, this should not blind us from seeing the real colors and intentions of those who seek public office. Let Guo Hua Ping’s case be a lesson for each and every one of us to vote wisely, especially in the coming 2025 midterm elections.