MALATE, Manila — State prosecutors are readying money laundering charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in connection with the operations of businesses owned by her family, which funded the purchase of parcels of land that later became the site for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her town.

In a 49-page resolution, government lawyers cited that at least five companies owned by Guo's family were involved in the “grand money laundering activities,” including QJJ Farm Incorporated, QSeed Genetics, real estate company Baofu Land Development Incorporated and POGO hub Hongsheng Gaming Technology, later renamed as Zun Yuan Technology.

The prosecuters noted that by using the funds from QJJ Farm and QSeed Genetics, Guo was able to procure parcels of land in Bamban and “caused their conversion” into commercial properties, where Baofu was established and the POGO hub operated, allegedly for “purposes of human trafficking and money laundering.”

Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail over a human trafficking case and based on the recommendation of the prosecution, she will be facing 62 counts of money laundering, 26 of which are under Section 4(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), which pertains to the transaction of monetary instruments that are proceeds from illegal activities.

Government lawyers added that five other counts to be filed against the former mayor are all under Section 4(b), which criminalizes the conversion, transfer, disposition or movement of such illicit proceeds to conceal or disguise their origin.

The remaining 31 other counts are for violations of Section 4(d) of the AMLA, which involves failure to report transactions related to illegal funds or engaging in activities that facilitate money laundering.

“Even after her purported divestment of shares following her assumption as chief executive of Bamban, Tarlac, her continuous participation and role as a beneficial partner of Baofu cannot be concealed,” the prosecutors pointed out.

Aside from Guo, 30 other individuals, including her parents and two brothers as well as incorporators and officers of the companies involved, are also to be charged with 31 counts of money laundering “for acting in conspiracy with each other to commit money laundering.”

On the other hand, the money laundering charges against lawyer Jason Masuerte, Nancy Gamo and Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong were dismissed for lack of evidence and reasonable certainty of conviction.

In the meantime, assistant justice secretary Dominic Clavano disclosed that the panel of prosecutor's have been authorized by the justice department to file the criminal cases against Guo and other accused before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC).