The Ombudsman recommended that Mayor Guo be suspended

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended that the Office of the Ombudsman issue a preventive suspension order against Bamban Mayor Alice Guo after setting up a seven-member task force to investigate her alleged ties to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) detected “serious illegal activities that may have serious legal consequences” in their city.

“The DILG does not have the authority to directly suspend or fire local officials,” Interior Secretary Ben Abalos Jr. said Saturday. “Therefore, the DILG defers to the Ombudsman any sanctions that may be imposed on Guo, consistent with its disciplinary authority over election officials of local governments pursuant to Section 21 of Republic Act 6770.”