Controversial Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo was dismissed from service by the Office of the Ombudsman for grave misconduct.
The Ombudsman also ordered the forfeiture of Guo's retirement benefits and perpetually banned her from holding public office.
Guo's involvement in raiding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations in her area bared a "willful intent on her part to violate the law or disregard established rules," the anti-graft office said in its order dated August 12.
"The series of acts are interconnected, leaving no other conclusion than that Guo committed them with ulterior motive or self-interest."
Meanwhile, government lawyers said they may opt to pursue the quo warranto case they had already filed against Guo.
"The quo warranto petition will proceed for two reasons: Mayor Alice Guo may still appeal the OMB (Ombudsman) dismissal order. The quo warranto petition, if successful, will make Guo Hua Ping (a.k.a. Alice Guo) ineligible to run for any elective public position in the future," Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said in a message to reporters.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman also found 12 other Bamban officials guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service and were ordered suspended for three months.
They are Vice Mayor Leonardo Anunciacion, business permit and licensing officer Edwin Ocampo, Adenn Sigua, Johny Sales, Jayson Galang, Nikko Ballio, Ernesto Salting, Jose Salting Jr., Robin Mangiliman, Jose Aguilar, Mary Lacsamana and Rainier Rivera.
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