The Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) reiterated on Saturday (September 7) that the dismissed mayor of Banban, Tarlac, Alice Guo, cannot serve as a state witness for now.
Assistant Minister Mico Clavano upheld the previous stance of Justice Minister Crispin Remulla, stating that Alice Guo is "unreliable" and not suitable to be a state witness, as she remains the most culpable according to the investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
However, Clavano mentioned that they would not rule out the possibility of her becoming a state witness if more senior figures are implicated in the investigation.
He stated at a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday: "For example, if we find someone more significant in the investigation, former Mayor Alice Guo would no longer be the main culprit."
"As far as we know, based on the investigation results, she is still considered highly culpable, and therefore she is not qualified to be a state witness," he added.
Another factor for becoming a state witness is whether Alice Guo is willing to name the big figures involved.
He added: "It still depends on the investigations we will conduct and whether the former mayor Alice Guo is willing to cooperate with law enforcement and authorities."
Alice Guo faces multiple cases in local courts, including human trafficking, money laundering, and corruption.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has also filed a tax evasion lawsuit against the dismissed mayor, accusing her of failing to pay 500,000 Philippine pesos in capital gains tax and stamp duty, which were due when she sold her shares in Baofu Land Development Company, a real estate developer that owns the land where the so-called illegal center is located.
The Court of Appeals has issued a freeze order on the assets of Ms. Guo and her business partners.
She also faces a lawsuit from the Election Commission for false statements.
Alice Guo fled the Philippines in July, reportedly traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and was arrested in Jakarta on September 3, taken by Philippine officials on September 5, and entered the country on a private plane at midnight on September 6.
She is currently detained at the Philippine National Police detention center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The lower court in Tarlac had filed a corruption lawsuit against her, which has allowed her to attend the ongoing Senate investigation into POGO on Monday (September 9).
