Comelec: Alice Guo needs TRO to continue election bid

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday said it will accept former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo's certificate of candidacy (COC) for Eleksyon 2025 if she files, but noted that she may be disqualified unless she secures a temporary retraining order (TRO).

During a media briefing in Manila, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said there are grounds for disqualification.

Among the grounds for disqualification are declaration of nuisance candidate, a petition seeking to cancel the COC due to age and citizenship, and the Ombudman's decision to impose perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

"Kapag ang isang tao na-perpetually disqualified to hold public office dahil may decision of the Office of Ombudsman, ika-cancel po ang candidacy niya kahit pa 'yung taong 'yan ay naka-appeal sa Court of Appeals (CA), unless mag-issue ng TRO ang CA doon sa kanyang kaso sa Office of the Ombudsman," Garcia said.

(If a person is perpetually disqualified from holding public office because of the decision of the Ombudsman, their COC will be canceled even if the person has made an appeal to the CA, unless the CA issues a TRO against the person's charges in the Office of the Ombudsman.)

'No choice'

On Sunday, Garcia appealed for public understanding should Comelec accept the COC of Guo if ever she would seek reelection.

“‘Pag nag-file, sana maunawaan po lang, ‘pag nag-file, no choice po ang Comelec kundi tanggapin ang filing ng COC,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(If she files COC, I hope the public understands because the Comelec has no choice but accept it.)

Garcia, however, assured that the poll body will “immediately” disqualify nuisance candidates.

“‘Wag po mag-alala ang lahat sapagkat kung talaga naman na pupuwede kaagad na i-disqualify o i-cancel ang candidacy ng isang personalidad o isang tao ay kaagad naman po naming gagawin ‘yan,” he said.

(Don't worry because we can immediately disqualify or cancel the candidacy of an individual.)

The Comelec has committed to resolve cases involving nuisance candidates for the 2025 midterm elections by the end of November this year.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco earlier said the poll body has no power to automatically cancel Guo's COC as they have to abide by the Ombudsman's decision.

On Friday, Stephen David, Guo's legal counsel, said the dismissed Bamban mayor will file her COC on Tuesday, the last day of the filing period for the May 2025 midterm elections.

Guo is facing charges for graft, qualified human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion for her alleged involvement in the Philippines Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her town.

READ: LIST: Complaints, petitions vs. Alice Guo

She is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail.

Guo was dismissed from her post as Bamban mayor in August.

The Department of Foreign Affairs canceled Guo's Philippine passport as her biometrics match those of Chinese passport holder Guo Hua Ping in the files of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Saturday warned Guo that she would face more charges if she files her candidacy for Eleksyon 2025.

"Guo Hua Ping would be committing an act of material misrepresentation if she fills out her certificate of candidacy (COC) and falsely declares herself to be a Filipino citizen," Hontiveros said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who joined Hontiveros in investigating Guo's links to illegal POGOs, said the plan of the dismissed mayor to run for public office "is yet another brazen attempt to undermine the country's laws."

"I strongly urge the Comelec to immediately enforce the necessary legal measures to disqualify her from seeking public office," Gatchalian said.

Senator Joel Villanueva recently said "it would be ridiculous if she would still be allowed to run again."

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said the Department of Justice may oppose Guo's reelection bid. —KG, GMA Integrated News