BIR sues Alice Guo for P1-B unpaid taxes
Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has been slapped with criminal charges by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) over an alleged P1-billion liability arising from tax evasion and her failure to file income tax returns from 2019 to 2023.
In a statement on Thursday, the BIR said its investigation into Guo was triggered by her testimony during a Senate hearing in May 2024, where she acknowledged owning several properties, vehicles and interests in multiple corporations.
The hearing was conducted in connection with a raid in 2024 on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub linked to Guo in Bamban town. The raid was prompted by allegations of human trafficking, serious illegal detention and cyberscam operations.
“Subsequent investigation by the BIR identified significant assets, expenditures and financial transactions associated with Guo, including real properties, motor vehicles, a helicopter, bank transactions, shares of stock and other acquisitions,” the BIR said.
“BIR records likewise showed that Guo failed to file annual income tax returns for five consecutive years despite substantial documented expenditures, acquisitions and financial transactions during the same period,” it added.
Substantial assets
The BIR estimated Guo’s tax deficiency at more than P1.008 billion, including surcharges and interest.
In 2024, Senate documents reportedly showed that Guo and her family were linked to at least 10 companies, a smelting plant, 21 vehicles—including several sport utility vehicles—and a helicopter. Guo had said she already 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 worth around P32 million, which she previously said she borrowed for display in Bamban town.
Guo was disqualified as a mayor after a Manila court in June 2025 declared her as “undoubtedly a Chinese citizen” based on the “infallible science of fingerprint examination.” Her fingerprints were found to be a perfect match for those of a Chinese citizen named Guo Hua Ping.
Later in November, she and several others were sentenced to life imprisonment for organizing and directing a web of associates to commit human trafficking.
Largest case
Guo’s case is the largest among five criminal tax complaints filed by the BIR on Thursday, involving a combined estimated tax deficiency of P1.46 billion.
Also charged were Clint Anthony Vinco, Zestar Food Corp. represented by president Yiling Huang and treasurer Xiazhen Guo, along with nine other respondents, over the alleged possession of illicit cigarettes subject to excise taxes.
This came as authorities found 574,980 packs of cigarettes that lacked the required internal revenue stamps, resulting in an excise tax deficiency of more than P418.38 million.
The BIR likewise filed charges against Bellagio Phil. Amusement Inc., along with its corporate officers, over their alleged willful failure to pay assessed taxes amounting to more than P32.27 million for taxable year 2019.
AJAF Limsart Corp. and its officers were also charged over unpaid assessed taxes worth more than P5.95 million for the same taxable year.
On the other hand, Joana Marie Chan Saludaga faces charges for allegedly failing to settle assessed taxes amounting to more than P3.58 million covering taxable year 2017.
