Photo credit: Mayor Alice Leal Guo

Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban has released an official statement addressing the controversies surrounding her identity and nationality, following her trending remark, "Hindi ko po alam, Your Honor."

Guo acknowledged the emotional scars from her childhood, stating, "I have no involvement in the illegal POGO operations at Baofu Compound within our municipality. I am not a spy for any country as some politicians suggest. To my fellow citizens of Bamban who love and support me, and to those who judged me prematurely, this is my official statement to ease their minds. I am Alice L. Guo, elected mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, a true Filipino in heart, mind, and deed."

On POGO Operations

Guo clarified, "It is not true that I am a protector or involved in illegal POGO operations in our town. I have not received any reports of criminal activities at the PAGCOR-licensed Zun Yuan Technology, Inc. POGO hub before it was raided. PAGCOR has an office within the Baofu Compound to monitor and regulate the licensed POGO operator. They have the primary responsibility to flag and suppress any illegal online activities."

She emphasized the benefits to the community, "Over 200 families in our small municipality gained employment from the POGO hub, which helps them meet daily needs."

On Her Identity

Apologizing for her confusing responses during Senate hearings, Guo said, "I apologize to the politicians and government officials perplexed by my answers. I also extend my apologies to the senators trying to understand my identity but failed to receive what they considered accurate and meaningful responses."

She explained her blank mind during the hearings was due to her desire not to lie, "For others, the questions might be simple: Who are your parents? Where did you grow up? Where did you study? But my answers were seen as inconsistent with their documents, leading them to suspect I might be a spy."

Revealing her traumatic past, Guo shared, "I am a love child of my dear father and our housemaid. My biological mother left when I was young, and I was raised in isolation on a farm, avoiding anything that could reveal my identity outside the hog-raising farm. My education was home tutoring, with no formal diplomas."

She added, "The questions at the Senate hearing about my identity are traumatic for me because they reopen wounds from my childhood. My responses were driven by my love and concern for my father, who is now 70 years old. I wanted to spare him from my struggles. Despite my lack of formal identity, I aspired to live a normal life and make my father proud."

Guo expressed her hope to find her biological mother, "I still hope to find and meet my true mother. I believe we will reunite at the right time, not through an investigation."

She concluded, "I have chosen not to marry at 38, dedicating my time and blessings to helping others, especially my fellow citizens in Bamban who trust in my honesty and capability as their simple public servant. To those supporting me amid this controversy, I reiterate that I am a true Filipino in heart, mind, and deed."