THE House Quad Committee, in its sixth hearing on the proliferation of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations in the country Thursday, made inquiries into frozen assets of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon led the pursuit of this line of questioning.
According to Atty. Adrian Arpon of thr Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the frozen assets include bank accounts, corporation shares, real properties and personal properties, such as motor vehicles and a helicopter.
Arpon disclosed that 88 principal bank accounts and 90 related accounts were targeted by the freeze order.
“The total peso equivalent that was frozen was more than P199 million,” he said.
The real properties under the freeze order, registered under the names of Guo and other individuals, have an appraised value exceeding P478 million.
These include three properties in Bulacan, seven in Las Piñas, two in Tarlac and one property valued at P13 million that was sold by Robinsons Land Corporation. However, it remains unverified if a property in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, is the same as the one in Las Piñas listed in the freeze order.
Meanwhile, the motor vehicles involved have an appraised value of over P76 million, while the helicopter is valued at P63.9 million.
“If it’s effectively frozen, there are properties now undergoing civil forfeiture, including the land where the Baofu compound is located,” Arpon added.
Bongalon reported attempts to dispose of Guo’s properties when the controversy emerged.
“There were attempts to dispose the properties of Alice Guo or any properties that is in any way related to you (Guo) or to your corporation that you being a stock holder or being a shareholder… And that is why eto pong amount na nabanggit po ng ating AMLC ay maliit pa po ito doon sa total assets na meron po at pwedeng ma-recover at pwede pong maging subject ng freeze order,” he said.
Bongalon concluded that the investigation should serve as a warning to people that the law will pursue those who try to dissipate or dispose of properties linked to unlawful activities.
