Guo won't ask SC to reverse AMLC asset freeze

The camp of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo yesterday said it will not ask the Supreme Court (SC) to overturn the decision of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze her assets.

- BELLA CARIASO

The AMLC ordered financial institutions and government agencies to freeze the bank accounts and assets of Guo and two other persons linked to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firms.

In a radio interview, Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David said he will question the move of AMLC before the Court of Appeals after the CA approved the council’s petition for the issuance of the order, effectively freezing the assets of the persons and entities allegedly involved in human trafficking, money laundering and illicit POGO activities.

Those identified in AMLC’s petition are Guo, Zhiyang Huang and Baoying Lin. “We will no longer question it (in the SC) since it is in the court already. What we want is due process where the Court of Appeals will allow us to explain,” David said.

He added that Guo has yet to receive a copy of the freeze order.

“We will ask for a copy as we are covered by the Data Privacy (Act). AMLC should not divulge to the public (Guo’s assets and bank accounts) even if she is a public official. There are limitations and guidelines for that,” David said.

The freeze order covers a wide range of assets, including 90 bank accounts across 14 financial institutions, several real properties and high-value personal properties, including luxury vehicles and a helicopter.

“These are all general allegations. Right now, we are evaluating why the Court of Appeals approved (the petition) to freeze (the assets and bank accounts of Guo),” David added.

At the same time, David expressed confidence that the SC will act on the petition after Guo asked the high tribunal to stop the Senate from summoning her as a resource person in the hearing investigating the illegal offshore gaming hub in her town that was recently raided by authorities.