The former mayor of Poro Point, Guo Huaping, has been accused of corruption in relation to operating a casino investment fraud, and the court ruled that she is a Chinese national, disqualifying her from holding public office.

Strange news: A court in Manila ruled that the former mayor of Barangay in Luzon is undoubtedly a Chinese citizen, disqualifying her from holding public office.

Alice Leal Guo served as the mayor of Barangay Bansalan in Luzon, Philippines from 2022 to 2024. However, she is suspected of being a Chinese citizen. Government lawyers filed a lawsuit in court questioning her eligibility for public office based on her nationality. On Friday, the court confirmed her as a Chinese citizen based on fingerprint checks and analysis results, and her real name is Guo Huaping.

In 2022, voters in Bamban, a town in northern Luzon, Philippines, warmly welcomed a rising political star, Alice Leal Guo. This 31-year-old mayor, known for her pink branding and arriving by helicopter at campaign events, promised prosperity, reform, and hope. However, in less than three years, this once-beloved local leader has now been recognized by the court as a Chinese citizen, illegally usurping public office, and is facing charges related to human trafficking, gambling investment fraud, and allegations of being a Chinese spy.

Guo Huaping is a Chinese citizen and is not qualified to hold public office.

A court in Manila ruled last Friday that, based on the results of fingerprint analysis, Guo Huaping is indeed a Chinese national, with her real name being Guo Huaping, and consequently revoked her eligibility for public office. The court stated outright that she is an usurper of public office.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by government lawyers questioning her nationality. Guo served as the mayor of Banban Town from 2022 to 2024 and was quite popular locally. However, in 2023, she fled the country due to nationality disputes and was ultimately arrested in Indonesia and deported back to her home country.

The beautiful and kind image is deeply loved by the townspeople.

During her early tenure, Guo Huaping showcased a distinctive style. She created a dreamy "pink world" and promised to provide subsidies, employment, and educational resources. Many residents cast their support votes due to her gender and approachable demeanor.

Vegetable vendor Priscilla told the BBC that she supports Guo Huaping because she is a woman. She is very kind and has helped many women. Longtime resident Francisco excitedly expressed that she has helped many poor people and has brought Happy Bee and McDonald's to Banban.

Social media has also shaped her into a young and progressive role model. Voters see not just a political newcomer, but a leader who cares about the community and drives change.

The dark side of Banban Town in Luzon Island

The turning point of Guo Huaping's kind and inspirational story occurred in 2024, when the police received a report that a Vietnamese person had escaped from a company surrounded by a high wall, which is closely related to Guo Huaping and called "Zun Yuan Technology."

On the night of March 12, security forces raided the park and discovered a large-scale fraud base covering nearly 20 acres, consisting of 36 buildings and employing hundreds of workers, many of whom were foreign nationals working under coercion. Investigations revealed that the site operated various scams, including "pig butchering" romance scams, gambling fraud, and fake investments, among others. The police found that the base was established on land registered under Guo Huaping's name, who had also issued a business license for Zun Yuan Company. Utility bills and other evidence found during the investigation also pointed to her close connection with the park.

Zun Yuan Company is said to be an online gambling and entertainment company with a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) license. This certification once allowed such companies to operate legally in the Philippines. In 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte relaxed the Philippine gambling laws, leading to a surge in offshore gambling activities. However, many scam groups also found that the license greatly aided in concealing criminal activities. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) told the BBC that they found evidence showing that Zun Yuan Company was operating a "pig killing" scam in its office located in Banban.

The Forgetful Girl: A Cloud of Suspicion

Guo Huaping was summoned to testify before the Senate in May 2023, questioned about her connections to the fraud park. Her words at the hearing were evasive and off-topic, causing a public uproar, leading netizens to mock her as the "forgetful girl."

She claims her father is Chinese and her mother is Filipino, and she grew up on a farm during her childhood, but she has a vague memory of her early life and rural hometown. Her image quickly shifted from "Pink Miracle" to "Fraud Suspect."

The subsequent fingerprint comparison results revealed that she matched the identity of a Chinese girl who had come to the Philippines years ago. Since then, the notion of "Chinese spy" began to circulate in public opinion.

Spy allegations raise tensions in China-Philippines relations

The Senate once discussed whether Guo Huaping could possibly be a Chinese spy. Although there is no direct evidence, her connections with Chinese tycoons and her ability to infiltrate local politics have raised political alarms. Transnational criminal groups often use local political figures as agents to cover up illegal activities, and they know how to find suitable talents locally to penetrate society.

However, there are also criticisms that the espionage allegations are overly far-fetched. Chinese community leader Xier questioned how someone who boasts about their life so publicly could possibly be a spy?

The Philippines reviews the POGO ban provisions to reform the offshore gambling industry.

The Guo Huaping case has sparked a comprehensive review by the Philippine government of the terms regarding the offshore gaming industry (POGO)). Zun Yuan Company is nominally a legally licensed operator of POGO, but is actually suspected of being a base for fraud and human trafficking. In mid-2024, President Marcos Jr. announced a complete ban on POGO operations, emphasizing that it has become a haven for criminal groups. This case is seen as a precedent for reform.

Residents said: Does it matter that Guo Huaping is Chinese?

Despite being embroiled in scandals, Guo Huaping still has many supporters in the community. Her former ally Fortuna Tomechia continues to defend her, believing that she has connections with the Chinese but has fulfilled her promises. Some voters admit that even if she is not a citizen of the Philippines, it does not change their support for her, and they do not care about her nationality.

Currently, Guo Huaping faces six charges and could face decades of imprisonment along with a lifetime political ban. She denies all allegations.

From glamorous young female leaders to defendants mired in fraud and espionage allegations, the case of Guo Huaping reflects the chaotic collusion between politics and business in the Philippines and the national security concerns that arise, serving as a cautionary tale for Taiwan.

This article reports that former Philippine mayor Guo Huaping is accused of being involved in embezzlement and operating a casino investment fraud. The court ruled that she is Chinese and revoked her eligibility for public office, first appearing in Chain News ABMedia.