MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal tax charges against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo on Thursday over an alleged tax deficiency of more than P1 billion, accusing her of tax evasion and failure to file income tax returns from 2019 to 2023 after an investigation into her assets, expenditures, and financial transactions.
The BIR said its investigation began after Guo testified during a Senate hearing in May 2024 and acknowledged ownership of several properties, vehicles, and interests in multiple corporations.
The Senate hearing examined matters related to a 2024 raid on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban that authorities linked to Guo. Authorities conducted the raid following allegations of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and cyber scam operations.
The BIR said investigators identified assets, expenditures, and financial transactions associated with Guo, including real properties, motor vehicles, a helicopter, bank transactions, shares of stock, and other acquisitions.
According to the BIR, its records showed that Guo did not file annual income tax returns for five consecutive years despite documented expenditures, acquisitions, and financial transactions during the same period.
The agency estimated Guo’s tax deficiency at more than P1.008 billion, including surcharges and interest.
Senate documents in 2024 reportedly linked Guo and her family to at least 10 companies, a smelting plant, 21 vehicles, and a helicopter. Guo previously said she had sold the aircraft, although records still listed her as its owner.
The documents also identified six individuals associated with Guo, including the alleged owner of a McLaren 620R valued at about P32 million. Guo previously said she borrowed the vehicle for display in Bamban.
In June 2025, a Manila court disqualified Guo from holding office after ruling that she was a Chinese citizen based on fingerprint examination results. The court found that her fingerprints matched those of Chinese citizen Guo Hua Ping.
In November 2025, a court sentenced Guo and several others to life imprisonment for organizing and directing associates involved in human trafficking.
The BIR said Guo’s case was the largest among five criminal tax complaints it filed on Thursday. The five cases involved a combined estimated tax deficiency of P1.46 billion.
The agency also charged Clint Anthony Vinco; Zestar Food Corp., represented by president Yiling Huang and treasurer Xiazhen Guo; and nine other respondents over the alleged possession of illicit cigarettes subject to excise taxes.
Authorities said they found 574,980 packs of cigarettes without the required internal revenue stamps, resulting in an estimated excise tax deficiency of more than P418.38 million.
The BIR also filed charges against Bellagio Phil. Amusement Inc. and its corporate officers for the alleged willful failure to pay assessed taxes amounting to more than P32.27 million for taxable year 2019.
The agency likewise charged AJAF Limsart Corp. and its officers over unpaid assessed taxes exceeding P5.95 million for taxable year 2019.
Meanwhile, Joana Marie Chan Saludaga faces charges for allegedly failing to pay assessed taxes amounting to more than P3.58 million for taxable year 2017.
