Guo faces money laundering raps

Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors have recommended the filing of 62 counts of violation of Republic Act 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in connection with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in the town.

This followed the resolution of the complaint filed last year by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission against Guo and 35 others.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday the resolution was final, emphasizing that the DoJ respected the work of the prosecutors involved.

“The panel of prosecutors decided, so we respect that. We want the case filed as soon as possible,” Remulla said.

According to the DoJ, 31 of the 62 counts against Guo involved 30 other individuals, including Jian Zhong Guo (also known as Angelito Guo), Lin Wenyi (aka Amelia Leal), Shiela Leal Guo, Siemen Leal Guo, Zhiyang Huang, Rachelle Joan Carreon, Baoying Lin, Ruiji Zhang, Thelma Laranan and Walter Wong.

The complaint said Guo and the incorporators of Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Baofu Land Development Inc., and Zun Yuan Technology Inc. were involved in transferring funds from allegedly fraudulent sources.

Billions of pesos in transactions across Guo’s bank accounts and assets from 2019 to 2024 were thoroughly investigated. These included her family’s bank accounts and properties, POGO companies and their bank accounts, as well as alleged shell companies linked to them.

Assistant Justice Secretary Mico Clavano said the panel of prosecutors found that the illegal activities uncovered during the raid were the proceeds involved in the complaint.

Meanwhile, the money laundering complaint against Cassandra Li Ong, lawyer Jason Masuerte and Nancy Gamo were dismissed “for lack of prima facie evidence and reasonable certainty of conviction.”

Clavano explained that some cases were dismissed because they did not meet the new threshold for prosecution, which requires prima facie evidence and a reasonable certainty of conviction. He emphasized that the DoJ’s reforms aim to ensure that only cases with a strong likelihood of success are filed in court.