Comelec to file charges vs. dismissed mayor Alice Guo in Tarlac

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to formally file charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo before a Tarlac court for allegedly committing material misrepresentation in her candidacy in the 2022 elections. 

According to Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, this developed after the poll body did not receive a motion for reconsideration (MR) from Guo’s camp against their earlier resolution. 

“Base sa record namin, 'yung dating Mayor Alice Guo ay hindi nag-file ng MR kung kaya po hinahanda na ng aming law department ang information para i-file sa RTC [regional trial court] diyan po sa Tarlac ang kasong [material] misrepresentation, violation ng Omnibus Election Code [OEC],” Garcia said. 

(Based on our records, former Mayor Alice Guo did not file an MR, so our Law Department is preparing the information to file a case at the RTC in Tarlac for material misrepresentation and violation of the Omnibus Election Code.)

The Comelec previously issued a resolution adopting the recommendation of its law department to file information against the dismissed mayor before an RTC for violating Section 74 of the OEC in relation to Section 262. 

Meanwhile, Garcia said the poll body will file a motion with the Tarlac RTC to transfer of the venue for Guo’s trial. 

“Hindi po ito dahil wala tayong tiwala sa ating korte. Sobra po ang pagtitiwala ng Comelec sa ating hudikatura, sa mga huwes. Subalit siyempre po, tatandaan natin na nandoon tayo sa isang lugar na 'yun mismong safety at security ng witnesses at mga lawyers natin ay atin din pong pinoprotektahan,” he said. 

(This isn't because we don't trust our court. The Comelec has excessive trust in our judiciary, in our judges. However, of course, we should remember that we are in a place where the safety and security of our witnesses and lawyers are also our responsibility to protect.)

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.

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.

She expressed intention to run for the 2025 midterm elections but later announced she is no longer seeking re-election in 2025. — BM, GMA Integrated News