Sen. Risa Hontiveros says justice served in Alice Guo's conviction

Following the Pasig RTC Branch 167's ruling that found former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, guilty of human trafficking, Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded the verdict, saying "justice has been served."

In her statement, the senator described Guo a.k.a. Guo Hua Ping's conviction as a significant win in the fight against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other cross-border offenses. "[I]t is a victory against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and many other transnational crimes. Now they can't do it again," said Hontiveros. She added that she is "proud to consider it one of the most consequential Senate inquiries" in her career, and expressed gratitude to the victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers who bravely came forward to testify.

Senator Hontiveros noted that the Senate probe led to landmark outcomes, including the issuance of a presidential executive order outlawing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the eventual approval of the 2025 Anti-POGO Law. As head of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, she said these developments give her renewed optimism about the impact of their work.

The court likewise imposed reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment, and a P2-million fine on Jaimielyn Santos Cruz, Rachelle Malonzo Carreon, and Malaysian national Walter Wong Rong for their roles in running the trafficking scheme.

Meanwhile, Wang Weili, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang, and Lang Xu Po were also convicted for committing acts of trafficking and received the same punishment of life imprisonment and a P2-million fine each.