Alice Guo saga exposes Philippine agencies and electoral system’s potential flaws

The dismissal of fugitive Philippine mayor Alice Guo, who was accused of having links to illegal offshore gambling operations and being a Chinese spy, has brought scrutiny on potential loopholes in the country’s electoral system for holders of public office.

Observers say the case highlights “institutional decay” amid concerns of potential malign influence from external actors aiming to exploit such flaws.

Guo’s lawyer Stephen David said on Wednesday they planned to appeal the dismissal after the Ombudsman, which investigates government officials accused of crime, found her guilty of “grave misconduct” for her ties to an offshore gaming operator that was raided in her hometown.

Previous investigations revealed that Guo owned the property that Hongsheng Gaming Technology – later renamed to Zun Yuan – was leasing and previously secured a no-objection letter from the municipal council in 2021, part of the requirements needed for the firm to establish operations.

Authorities who raided the compound in the Bamban municipality in the northern Philippine province of Tarlac in 2023 uncovered evidence of scams and human trafficking.

Aletheia Valenciano, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines’ political science department, said Guo’s campaign and eventual 2022 election win to become mayor “did not operate in a vacuum”.