Alice Guo

Alice Leal Guo (Chinese: 郭華萍; pinyin: Guō Huápíng; Wade–Giles: Kuo¹ Hua²-p'ing²; IPA: [kwó xwǎpʰǐŋ]; born August 31, 1990,) is a Chinese convicted criminal, businesswoman, and former politician in the Philippines who served as the de facto mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, from June 30, 2022, to August 13, 2024. Guo was accused of being a Chinese spy, though The Economist states that these allegations were unlikely to be true. She has also faced investigations over her alleged involvement in illegal gambling and other criminal activities.^[1][2]

Birth and ancestry

Details of Guo's early life and educational background are disputed. Guo stated that she was born at her home, whose location she does not recall, or, according to her birth certificate, in Barangay Matatalaib in the then-municipality of Tarlac, Philippines, on August 31, 1990, originally thought to be July 12, 1986; her family's Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV) application documents placed her birthplace at Jinjiang, Fujian, China. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also revealed the existence of three individuals named Alice Leal Guo, all born on July 12, 1986.^[1]

Education and childhood

Some residents of Bamban, including those from Barangay Virgen de los Remedios, said that Guo lived and grew up there, adding that she also has a sibling. Guo has stated that her family raised pigs for a living and that she grew up on a farm. She also claimed to have spent her teenage life in Concepcion, Tarlac.^[1]

Residency and citizenship

According to Guo's Certificate of Candidacy for Mayor filed before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in 2021, she declared herself unmarried and claimed lifelong residency in the Philippines, residing at her registered address in Bamban for 18 years by that time. It was revealed that she registered as a voter of Bamban in April 2021, just 13 months before the 2022 general elections, while COMELEC spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that she had registered in 2018. She also claimed to have held a Philippine passport, the only one she possesses, since she was between 17 and 19 years old, around 2003 to 2005.^[1]

Business career

Before venturing into politics, Guo has an extensive background as a businesswoman, serving as an incorporator and holding significant shares in at least 11 companies since 2010, according to Securities and Exchange Commission records.^[1]

Air taxi venture

In the 2024 Senate inquiry, Guo admitted to owning a helicopter, which she acquired in 2019 and sold in 2024 to an undisclosed British firm. She said she meant to use the helicopter for an air taxi business but was compelled to sell the aircraft after the venture did not meet their expectations.^[1]

Car dealership

Westcars Incorporated is one of the businesses affiliated with Guo. It is a car dealership registered on March 16, 2016. Senator Risa Hontiveros, in the 2024 Senate inquiry, has alleged that Guo owns 16 vehicles, which include sports utility vehicles, vans, and trucks, which Guo reasoned are associated with the Westcars venture.^[1]

Involvement in POGOs

Starting in June 2024, Guo faced cases in the Senate, the DOJ, the Ombudsman, and the courts. Senator Win Gatchalian revealed Guo's alleged links with the firm Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., an online casino firm that was registered in the Philippines as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO). Prior to her election in 2022, Guo had applied for the license of Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc.; and in late 2020, the Bamban municipal council approved its establishment and operation.^[1]

Political career

In October 2021, Guo filed her certificate of candidacy to run for municipal mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, as an independent candidate. She tapped former mayor Leonardo Anunciacion as her running mate for vice mayor. During the campaign period for the 2022 elections, she expressed support for the candidacies of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte for president and vice president, respectively.^[1]

Alleged espionage for China

Guo's dubious family background and citizenship issues led her to be tagged as a Chinese spy as early as May 2024 when Senator Risa Hontiveros had asked her if she was a Chinese "asset" trained to infiltrate and influence the Philippine government.^[1]