It’s election season again, and Filipinos will soon elect new leaders for the government. Amid hopes for better governance, lingering questions remain: how can we ensure that those we elect truly serve the interests of the nation? The story of Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, serves as a reminder of the challenges to the integrity of our system.
During her tenure as Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, in 2022, allegations arose that Guo was allegedly supported by a Chinese intelligence agency, according to Wang Fu Gui, a Chinese national. It was claimed that she had connections to She Zhijiang, a suspected Chinese spy currently detained in Thailand, linking Guo to documents containing sensitive information.
Alice Guo became controversial when authorities raided a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban. This led to the discovery of foreign workers who were victims of human trafficking and other illegal activities such as money laundering. The POGO was based in the compound of Baofu Land Development, Inc., which is connected to Guo, who also began to face scrutiny regarding her true nationality.
Despite her denials, documents showed that Guo’s fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national, and there were no records of her birth before she turned 17. Financial records also revealed funds coming from accounts owned by Hongjiang Yang, brother of former economic adviser to Duterte, and Zhengcan Yu, an incorporator of the POGO.
As the election approaches, it is crucial to understand how these issues affect our identity and way of life. Under former President Duterte’s administration, questions arose about the extent of foreign influence, particularly from China. These allegations highlight the need for more thorough scrutiny of elected leaders to ensure they genuinely serve the interests of the nation and not foreign forces with different agendas. #
