Comelec eyes election offense case vs Guo

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mulling the filing of an election offense case against Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for making false claims when she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) in the 2022 polls.

“It is possible to file an election offense case based on misrepresentation (in the COC),” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said yesterday.

He said they are ready to take action against Guo.

“We are closely monitoring the developments. If the evidence warrants, yes, we will,” Garcia said.

Recent reports reveal Guo is just pretending to be a Filipino citizen but is believed to be Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.

Examination conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) showed fingerprints of Guo are identical with those of Guo Hua Ping, establishing that they are the same person.

The Comelec, however, said a disqualification case against Guo is no longer possible since she has long been proclaimed and has already assumed the post.

“Her case is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Comelec,” Garcia said.

He added if Guo decides to run again in the 2025 polls, she may face disqualification charges.

“If she files a COC again for next year’s elections, she will be vulnerable to such petitions,” said Garcia.?

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has initiated quo warranto proceedings after the Senate public hearing discovered the discrepancies in Guo’s birth certificate and other official documents.

The OSG said the NBI’s findings would be used in the quo warranto case against the mayor.

“The NBI’s finding about Guo’s fingerprint was extremely useful. It’s the missing link in the puzzle,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said in a text message to The STAR.

Guevarra noted that the development would “surely expedite” the filing of the appropriate complaint or petition by the OSG.

When asked about the target date of filing, Guevarra said the petition may likely be filed next month. A quo warranto proceeding is a legal remedy to determine a person’s right to public office.

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