The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed on August 29 that money laundering charges will be filed against "POGO Mayor" Alice Guo and Shiela.
Deputy Minister of Justice Nicholas Felix L. Ty stated in an interview: "Money laundering charges against Shiela, Alice Guo, and several others may be filed tomorrow or next week." Previously, the DOJ had already filed a case against Shiela in the Pasay City Court for violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) for disobeying a Senate subpoena; and under Article 22(b)(2) of Republic Act No. 11983 or the "Philippine Passport Law" for using a forged Philippine passport.
Alice Guo has been charged by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) with qualified human trafficking related to the criminal activities reported by the Bamban town offshore gaming operator (POGO). Additionally, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has also filed a case against Alice Guo with the DOJ for alleged violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), specifically under Article 255 for attempting to evade or defeat tax, and under Article 250 for failing to declare capital gains tax and document stamp tax.
Meanwhile, Ty mentioned that the DOJ is considering filing administrative cases against Alice Guo's lawyers at the Supreme Court (SC) or the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Although Shiela testified in the Senate that she and her sister left the Philippines by boat in July this year, her lawyer submitted a motion to the DOJ on August 16, requesting a re-examination of the preliminary investigation into Alice Guo's qualified human trafficking case. The motion included a counter-affidavit by Alice Guo, stating that she appeared personally before notary lawyer Elmer Galicia and swore to the truthfulness of her statements.
Regarding Galicia, Ty stated: "He may face criminal charges for forgery and administrative cases in the Supreme Court, as we have our duties as lawyers. But we will not limit ourselves to this notary, as we believe that during the preliminary investigation, Alice Guo's lawyers and her spokesperson should also bear administrative responsibility."
Ty reminded that these lawyers submitted forged counter-affidavits, and her spokesperson has been claiming in various radio interviews that Alice Guo is still in the Philippines. The deputy minister was referring to lawyer Stephen David.
