ALICE GUO CHARGED WITH 62 COUNTS OF MONEY LAUNDERING

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday filed 62 counts of money laundering charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

The  money laundering cases against Guo or Guo Hua Ping was filed before Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Prosecutors alleged that Guo engaged in multiple transactions involving funds derived from illegal activities.

The charges include 26 counts of violation of Section 4(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Law regarding transacting a monetary instrument or property that represent, involves, or relates to proceeds of an unlawful activity.

Five counts are for violating Section 4(b) of the same law, which is committed by a person who converts, transfers, disposes of, acquires, possesses or uses such monetary instruments or properties.

Meanwhile, 31 counts are for violation of Section 4(d), which pertain to attempts or conspiracy to commit money laundering offense.

Earlier, Guo submitted counter-affidavits before the DOJ in response to separate complaints of tax evasion, falsification of public documents and graft.

Guo’s lawyer, Nicole Jamilla, confirmed that the filings were made on May 21, saying they had addressed all accusations, including violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In August 2024, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) charged  Guo with tax evasion after she failed to pay half a million pesos in taxes.

Last March, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) charged her with three counts of falsification for allegedly misrepresenting herself in property deeds. The NBI complaint is based on the claim that Guo is not a Filipino citizen.

Another graft complaint was filed this year by the NBI and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) over alleged irregularities in the issuance of permits during her time as mayor.

Guo is also facing a qualified trafficking case in Pasig City, another graft case in Valenzuela and a material misrepresentation complaint in Tarlac.

A separate quo warranto petition has been filed with a Manila court challenging her eligibility to hold public office.

A petition to cancel her birth certificate is also pending before a Tarlac court.

Guo, who was removed as mayor of Bamban over her alleged ties to illegal gambling operations, is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail.