Comelec studying evidence of Guo election offense

MANILA, Philippines —  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is initiating the process for the possible filing of an election offense against suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that Guo cannot escape criminal liability since the election offense she supposedly committed is still within the prescriptive period.

“Violation expires after five years. If the violation is in 2022, it’s less than five years. Therefore, we still have jurisdiction to file a case,” Garcia told reporters yesterday.

“If you can get away from administrative liability, you cannot escape criminal liability,” he added.

Garcia said he would direct the Comelec law department to start looking into the case against Guo based on recent findings.

“Of course, it’s better to wait for the Senate committee report itself,” he said.

The Comelec chief welcomed the pronouncement of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on the filing anytime of a quo warranto petition against Guo.

“We can use the content of the quo warranto petition as a basis, so that we can see if there really was a misrepresentation,” he said.

If there are pieces of evidence, the Comelec can file election offense against Guo because misrepresentation in the filing of the certificate of candidacy is prohibited, according to Garcia.

Aside from misrepresentation, he said Guo may also face charges of perjury and falsification of documents.

Garcia added that the Comelec wants to ensure that the case to be filed against Guo would be foolproof.

“We don’t want to file a case that will be dismissed; it’s embarrassing. The case needs to be strong,” Garcia said.

He added that the filing of the petition by the OSG is proof that the case against Guo is strong.

Following this development, officials of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and witnesses against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs have been receiving death threats.

While receiving threats is normal for them, PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz yesterday expressed concern about the efforts from personalities connected with POGOs who are trying to reach out to witnesses in an effort to