The recent news of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s escape from the Philippines has sparked a wave of reactions from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) on social media. Many OFWs, who have long faced strict immigration protocols when leaving the country, expressed their frustration and disbelief that Guo was able to flee despite being under scrutiny.
UK-based Filipino social media influencer, Nurse Even, took to his platform to voice his concerns, stating, “Pag si Alice Guo, ang bilis maka-alis ng Pilipinas, tapos pag kami, kailangan ng diploma at yearbook? Ganyan pala kayo ha… Si Alice Guo, fly agad. Samantalang kaming mga OFWs na kompleto ang documents at visa requirements, kailangan iiyak pa sa immigration ano po?” His post highlights the stark contrast between the treatment of regular OFWs and those with political connections.
Facebook user Jay Rada Rafol shared his disappointment, recounting his own difficult experiences with Philippine immigration. He noted, “Personally, I felt enraged by this news, for an OFW whose every Immigration encounter always brings ‘butterflies in my stomach’… I have personally experienced being questioned repeatedly for more than 10 minutes, some of which are nonsense and common sense.” His sentiment reflects the widespread frustration among OFWs who endure rigorous questioning and scrutiny, even when their documents are in order.
Another user, Michelle Yao, echoed similar feelings: “Buti pa si Alice Guo nakalabas ng country ng walang problema. Samantalang yung mga pinoy na magbabakasyon lang sa ibang bansa ang daming tanong sa immigration.” This sentiment underscores the irony that Guo, who was embroiled in legal troubles, could leave the country with ease, while ordinary Filipinos face obstacles even for leisure travel.
When The Global Filipino Magazine shared Nurse Even’s post, more OFWs joined the conversation. Francis Jefferson Rivera commented, “That is Philippines, money talks. That is not possible to do so. You only need big connections and millions.” Others, like Nette Castillo, pointed out the inconsistency in the system, noting that even legitimate tourists face hurdles, while someone with a warrant was able to slip through.
Yesterday, Senator Risa Hontiveros questioned how Guo was able to leave the country despite government restrictions. She presented evidence during a Senate session, revealing that Guo used her Philippine passport to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 18, before continuing to Singapore and eventually Indonesia. Hontiveros called for accountability, asking, “Who allowed this travesty to happen? Sino ang may kagagawan nito?”