Alice Guo yet to file counter-affidavit despite deadline —Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to receive the counter-affidavit of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo against a subpoena they filed against her, Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said Monday.

The poll body last week approved the request of Guo’s camp to extend the period for the filing of the counter-affidavit on the subpoena from August 27 to September 1.

“Wala pang pinapadala na komunikasyon ang kampo niya kung magtutuloy ang filing nila ng couter-affidavit ngayong araw na ito,” Garcia told reporters at the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the foundation of the new Comelec office building in Pasay City.  

(There is still no communication from his camp as to whether they will proceed with the filing of their counter-affidavit today.)

“Bagama't ating sinuspinde ang pasok sa araw na ito dahil sa malawakang pag-ulan… kung sakali di makapag-file sa araw na ito, by tomorrow hihintayin namin ang kaniyang counter-affidavit,” he said.

(Although we've suspended work for the day due to the heavy rain, if they can't file the necessary documents today, we'll wait for it by tomorrow.)

Comelec representatives formally served Guo a subpoena on August 13 in relation to the material misrepresentation complaint filed against her. 

The dismissed mayor, who has since left the Philippines, was given 10 days or until August 23 to file a counter-affidavit, but the period of filing was moved to August 27 due to the public holidays. 

On August 22, Atty. Stephen David, Guo’s legal counsel, asked the Comelec for a 10-day extension to file their camp’s answer. 

“Sa mismong pagfa-file nila, may mga katanungan na ibabato sa kaniyang mga abogado o sino mang magfa-file, ganung may balita at testimonya na wala siya dito… Tignan natin paano ipo-produce ang counter-affidavit. Puwede naman na kung nasa abroad, sa embahada o konsulada mag-file,” said Garcia. 

(We will raise questions to the lawyers or representatives who would file the answer since there are news and testimonies she’s out of the country. Let's see how they'll produce the counter-affidavit. It's possible to file from abroad, through the embassy or consulate.)

“Di kami mag-aantay nang panghabambuhay. Kung mag-file at minarapat na di sundin ang pag-uutos natin, kami naman susundin namin ang aming tungkulin…Ibig sabihin ang law department namin na siyang magko-conduct ng preliminary investigation ay magtutuloy-tuloy,” he added. 

(We will wait forever. If they file and refuse to comply with our orders, we'll fulfill our duty. It means our law department, which will conduct the preliminary investigation, will continue the probe.)

Guo is at the center of the Senate investigation into the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Bamban after several seized documents showed that she was involved in the processing of documents for its operations.

Earlier, Garcia said the Comelec would continue its preliminary investigation against Guo despite her alleged departure from the country.

This came after the Comelec en banc approved the recommendation of its law department to file a motu propio complaint against Guo for material misrepresentation. —KBK, GMA Integrated News