Alice Guo seeks to run for reelection – lawyer

MANILA, Philippines — Alice Guo will try to reclaim her seat as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac in next year’s elections.

Guo’s lawyer Stephen David confirmed yesterday the dismissed mayor’s plan to file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 polls.

“She will run,” David told TV5, adding that their legal team is preparing the required documents. “Why don’t we let the people decide kung gusto siya ng tao (if they want her)?”

Based on Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules, Guo may file her COC through a representative.

Guo, currently in detention over various charges, was dismissed from service by the ombudsman in August for grave abuse of discretion over the operations of a Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO hub in Tarlac.

Although the ombudsman order carries a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, it may still be appealed and thus cannot be considered final and executory.

On “Storycon” on One News yesterday, Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the poll body would accept Guo’s COC should she file for the 2025 elections.

“It is the ministerial duty of Comelec to accept COCs,” Laudiangco said. He clarified, though, that acceptance does not mean that the person is automatically a candidate.

For the poll body to make a decision on the matter, he said a petition, either for disqualification or the cancellation of COC, must be filed against Guo.

“We ourselves are hoping that someone will file a petition to cancel her COC based on her qualifications, particularly concerning her citizenship. Somebody has to file the petition with the Comelec… We have to follow due process, a petition must be filed. It has to be heard. We cannot just automatically cancel a COC,” Laudiangco said

He added that any registered voter could file the petition and support it with evidence.

In case a petition is filed, Laudiangco said the Comelec would rule on matters involving a person’s eligibility to run for office, including those on the basis of citizenship.

Aside from a petition to cancel or deny due course to a COC, a petition for disqualification could also be filed against Guo using the ombudsman’s ruling as basis, he added.

Sen. Loren Legarda