OSG to file petition cancelling Alice Guo's birth certificate

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is set to file on Friday a petition seeking the cancellation of the birth certificate of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

According to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, they will file the petition on the ground of Guo's failure to comply with the legal requirements for late registration, among others.

“This will lay the groundwork for the subsequent filing of a petition for quo warranto,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

A quo warranto proceeding is a legal remedy to determine a person's right or title to a public office and to oust the holder from its enjoyment.

Guevarra, however, declined to disclose the court where the petition will be filed for security reasons.

He previously said the OSG will file a quo warranto case against Guo “as soon as possible” after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that she has the same fingerprints as Chinese passport holder Guo Hua Ping.

Guo's identity went under close scrutiny after law enforcement authorities raided a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban over alleged illegal activities. 

In a statement last month, Guo's lawyers said she is ready to address allegations against her by providing "substantial evidence" proving that she is a real Filipino.

Her lawyers said Guo asserts her Filipino citizenship based on her birthright, cultural ties, and continuous residency in the Philippines, adding that there are community members who are willing to execute affidavits and share their history with Guo.

Furthermore, Guo's lawyer pointed out that China does not recognize dual citizenship, saying that this allegation "runs counter to the fact that she is required, and indeed secured, a Chinese visa as visitor of said country whenever she visits China."

Authorities have also filed a complaint against Guo and 13 others for violation of Sections 4 and 6 of Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364, as further amended by RA 11862.

Guo was also referred to as “a.k.a Guo Hua Ping” in the complaint.

Earlier in June, the Department of the Interior and Local Government filed graft charges against Guo with the Office of the Ombudsman, prompting it to suspend her for up to six months. — KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News