
THE Ombudsman has been urged to suspend controversial Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
In a statement released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), it said that a task force created last April 5 to look into Guo’s alleged link to illegal activities of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her town.
He said the task force, headed by Atty. Benjamin Zabala of DILG’s Internal Audit Service, has submitted its report, and this in turn was submitted to the Ombudsman on Friday.
“Based on the report, there are troubling findings of serious illegal acts which may have severe legal implications,” the DILG secretary said.
“The DILG recommended to the Ombudsman the issuance of a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo, to prevent any influence on the continuing investigations of our and other agencies,” Abalos said, adding that the department “does not have the power to directly suspend or dismiss local officials.”
“The DILG will continue to cooperate with the Ombudsman and other investigative bodies on this important issue, united in our shared mission of protecting our local institutions and furthering public interest,” he added.