De La Salle University - Dasmariñas

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT

Alice Guo: Filipino or Chinese?

The Ethical Dilemma and Questionable Background of the
Mayor of BamBan, Tarlac

Sabater, Kian Shaigne S.

Name
ARC22
Course and Section

Sir. Jumel G. Estrañero

PROFESSOR

SOSC004 ETHICS

Subject
 De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT

I. PRELUDE

The controversial topic of this month was focused on the case of the Mayor of
Bamban, Tarlac formally known as Mayor Alice Guo. She was questioned about her
involvement within the two illegal POGOs (Hongsheng Gaming Technology Incorporated
and Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated) which can be found behind the Municipal Hall of
Bamban.
On the other hand, the speculation regarding if she is a spy for the Chinese
government has been the question of many concerned citizens as well as the senators who
are questioning the nationality and credibility of Guo. Furthermore, the senators were not
moved by the unjustifiable and inconsistent information Guo brought within the senate
hearing. Especially, Senator Loren Legarda and Senator Risa Hontiveros who were
questioning the mayor in the recent senate hearing that was broadcasted.
Guo has many inconsistencies regarding her statements and background as well as
her personal status and wealth which contradict her given statements to the public. The
motion to temporarily suspend the mayor and other elected officials of Bamban, Tarlac was
suggested by Hontiveros while the case of her credibility and involvement with the POGO
and its illegal activities within the mayor’s municipality.

II. BODY

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MAYOR ALICE GUO?

The disputed issue that is being talked about inside the senate that concerns the
national government and national security risk from foreign invaders is the case of the
mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Mayor Alice Guo also known as Alice Leal Guo. She is the first
female mayor of the municipality of Bamban located in the province of Tarlac that won
last 2022.
Guo was born on July 12, 1986, grew up on a farm with her father, Jian Zhong Guo
and claimed to be homeschooled until high school. However, she cannot recall the program
or school that is affiliated with her teacher. Furthermore, she also cannot provide school
records and did not attend college.
The questioning of her credibility began to arise when the Philippine Offshore
Gaming Operations (POGO) was raided in Bamban coincidentally behind the Municipal
Hall. Senator Hontiveros speculated if the mayor of Bamban is an asset planted by China
to infiltrate the Philippine politics and government.
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College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT

CONNECTION OF GUO TO THE POGO IN BAMBAN

It is highly suspectable for the POGO infrastructure to be approved by the local
government and built just behind or near the local municipality of Bamban. It is believed that
HongSheng was raided last February 2023.
However, after three months, another POGO was established in the same compound
known as the Baofu compound. This was known as the Zun Yuan but was also raided more
recently last March of 2024. Moreover, this compound was half-owned by Guo but claimed
that she had sold it before running for candidacy.

SENATE HEARING LAST MAY 22, 2024

During the senate hearing, Legarda asked questions about the childhood of Guo
that could justify the credibility and nationality of Guo. However, Legarda noticed a series of
repeated statements from Guo throughout her interrogation. “Paulit-ulit naman parang
memoryado niyo… Wag tayong robot”, according to Senator Legarda as she reacts to the
repeated and scripted-like answers of Guo during the senate hearing last May 22, 2024.
“Lumaki po ako sa farm” (Guo), was repeatedly heard as the answer to the queries of Legarda.

III. ANALYSIS
ETHICAL IMPACT OF THE STANDARD QUALIFICATION OF A POLITICIAN
The ethical issue regarding the topic of Mayor Guo concerns the authenticity and
credibility of the politicians in authority within the Philippine government. It disrupts the
values and morality of many Filipino citizens seeing unjust and evident abuse of power by
local and national officials starting with their personal background to qualify to run for a
position in the government.
It is evident that the qualifications or requirements to run for election are the bare
minimum despite having an important role to govern the country. It is the total opposite for the
scenarios of normal Filipino citizens when applying for a job. There are so many job
requirements that need to be submitted to apply for a certain position that pays minimum wage
or below the minimum wage. It shows the unbalanced treatment of citizens to politicians
 De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT
whereas the duty and responsibility of these officials are much heavier and more important to
govern an efficient and peaceful country than citizens who are just trying to live daily.

MORAL IMPLICATIONS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

The case of Mayor Guo can be considered morally wrong. If the statement that she
made were identified as false, then there can be a possible conviction due to the false statements
about her nationality and background that made her way in public service in an unethical and
immoral manner. If morality encompasses your life, sharing simple information such as your
childhood would be an easy narrative to discuss within the hearing.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF POGO IN THE PHILIPPINES

The POGO industry brought many significant benefits to the country especially to
the Filipino citizens. It became a factor in the economic growth by creating revenues and local
employment opportunities for many citizens of the country. It also helped reduce poverty
through the job opportunities provided by the POGO industry.
However, it does not hide the fact that the Philippines is slowly being invaded by
China. If what Guo claims is not true, then it only suggests that our national security is weak
and vulnerable that can pose as a threat to the sovereignty and freedom of every Filipino citizen
of the country.

IV. RECOMMENDATION

HIGHER REQUIREMENT STANDARD FOR ELECTORAL CANDIDATES

It is undeniable that the requirements for being an elected government official is
achievable by every Filipino which is their right according to the constitution. However, it may
be time to add or improve the 1987 constitution regarding the qualifications of being part of
the government such as having a college degree or not having a history of conviction.
Through this improvement, it provides higher trust to the government due to the
evident credibility of such officials that were elected using the changed qualifications. It boosts
the morality and governance of public servants, which can be a great factor for the
improvement of the political system and provide great service to the public and nation.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROVISION OF NATIONAL SECURITY TO THE

COUNTRY
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College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT
National security of the Philippines encompasses various interests regarding the
protection of the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, well-being of the people, the
state, and its institutions.
The Philippine government should also give focus on the prevention of national
risk due to the recent issues regarding international disputes within other countries.
Moreover, it is the right of every Filipino to be protected thus, an investigation regarding
the issue of Mayor Guo should be prioritized to assess any kind of infiltration from foreign
countries.

FURTHER OBSERVATION AND INVESTIGATION OF ANOMALIES WITHIN THE

GOVERNMENT
If proven that Mayor Guo is convicted of perjury, there is a higher chance that there
may be more foreign nationals sabotaging and destructing within the Philippine
government protected by local officials.
According to an article by Florencio Fianza regarding the issue of Guo, tightening
the visa requirements will not solve the problem unless the corrupt officials are rooted out
and sent to jail. Corruption is present within the country and the Philippine government; it
can be a factor that greedy officials bring harm not just to the government but also to the
well-being of the Filipino citizens through the illegal transactions and activities with
foreign nationals.

V. REQUIEM

In conclusion, the case of Mayor Guo presents unethical and immoral actions that
is alarming and poses as a potential national security risk that should be investigated and
solved by the Philippine government. It is possible that similar scenarios are happening
within the nation involving corruption between officials and foreign nationals thus, a
course of action should be formed to eradicate or diminish corruption.
Through the provision of higher and stricter national security, investigations of
anomalies, and enforcing higher standards for electoral candidates, there will be an efficient
and working government that holds credibility and integrity due to the transparency and
legitimacy of government officials and employees serving the public for the greater good
of the nation and its people.
 De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT

VI. MESSAGE TO THE PROFESSOR

Dear Sir Stranger,

I want to express my gratitude for being an incredible and chill professor. The knowledge
and life learnings that you taught us gave me a better understanding and perspective in life. You
made our ethics class fun and interesting despite limited time during the semester. Your efforts
show your passion and love for teaching, and you also show your appreciation to your students
through your wisdom and unique teaching skills.
You never fail to give us advice in every class which we can use and apply in our daily
lives. I am very grateful for the opportunity of being your student and for the lessons you have
given us. I am sure that you made a huge impact not just on our academic life but also on our
perspective towards our personal life.
Thank you sir and I will always uphold your last assignment to be happy, to be ethically
happy.
 De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT

VII. REFERENCES

Magsambol, B. (2024, May 22). 5 things that don’t add up in mayor Alice Guo’s Senate
testimony. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/things-that-did-not-add-up-
bamban-tarlac-mayor-alice-guo-senate-testimony/

CMS, J. M.-. (2024, May 22). Who is Alice Guo, Bamban mayor suspected of being a Chinese
asset?. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-bamban-tarlac-
mayor-alice-guo-suspected-chinese-asset/

CMS, J. M.-. (2024a, May 22). Bamban mayor linked to raided pogo in Tarlac. RAPPLER.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/bamban-mayor-guo-linked-raided-pogo-tarlac/

Supreme Court e-library information at your fingertips. RSS. (n.d.).

https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/10816#:~:text="No%20person%
20shall%20be%20elected,2.

Cabrera, R. (2024, May 23). Guo has 16 vehicles registered in her name. Philstar.com.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/24/2357531/guo-has-16-vehicles-registered-
her-name

What are the benefits of the pogo industry in the Philippines? | 5 answers from research papers.
(n.d.). https://typeset.io/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-pogo-industry-in-the-
3435kinnc2

Fianza, F. (2024, May 22). The inconsistent mayor Alice Guo. Manila Standard.
https://manilastandard.net/opinion/314449896/the-inconsistent-mayor-alice-guo.html