The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of charges against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and several associates for alleged violations of the Anti-Dummy Law, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Friday.
The DOJ resolution specifically cited charges related to the simulation of minimum capital stock. The development came after prosecutors granted a motion for reconsideration filed by the NBI, reversing an earlier decision that dismissed the complaint.
The NBI’s original complaint stemmed from the operations of a company based in Pangasinan. Investigators alleged that several incorporators misrepresented their identities and nationalities to bypass legal restrictions on foreign ownership of land in the Philippines.
Although DOJ prosecutors initially dismissed the Anti-Dummy Law allegations, the NBI appealed the ruling, arguing that the misrepresentation was a deliberate attempt to circumvent constitutional and statutory limitations.
In a statement following the updated resolution, the NBI expressed confidence in the case moving forward:
“These concerted efforts culminated in the appropriate and solid charges being filed against Guo and her associates, ensuring accountability,” the bureau said.
The case adds to the mounting legal challenges faced by Guo, particularly those involving questions surrounding her citizenship and business dealings.