Comelec in Bamban to accept Alice Guo CoC

The local Commission on Elections office in Bamban, Tarlac said that they will be accepting dismissed mayor Alice Guo’s Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for the 2025 national elections.

“Actually, wala kaming idea na magfafile siya, pero di naman kami nasurprise kasi pwedeng pwede naman siyang tumakbo eh… kasi wala pang final decision ang court. Hangga’t hindi convicted ang isang tao, pwede siyang tumakbo kahit anong posisyon,” said Bamban Comelec Officer Edmund Salvador in a 24 Oras report by Darlene Cay.

(Actuallu, we have no idea that she will be running, but we aren't surprised because she can still vote... because there is still no final court decision. As long as a person isn't convicted, she can still run for any position.)

Despite Guo’s dismissal from her position due to controversies surrounding involvement with illegal POGOs, Guo’s lawyers assured that she will continue in her bid for the Bamban mayoral seat.

“Kung talagang gusto siya ng tao, sila dapat ang humusga. Ang taumbayan dapat ang humatol kung siya ay karapat dapat na manungkulan sa kanilang lugar,” said her lawyer, Attorney Stephen David.

(If the people really wanted her, they would have to be the one to judge. The public must be the ones to judge if she is the one who should govern over their area.)

He clarified that there were still no court decisions on Guo’s alleged Chinese nationality, which meant she was still allowed to run.

“Comelec ang magdedecide niyan kung qualified yun o hindi, kasi yung ombudsman ruling, hindi pa naman final yun. In fact, may pending pa kaming reconsideration. Mayroon pang court of appeals pa, mayroon pang supreme court,” added David.

(Comelec will be the one to decide if she is qualified or not, because the ombudsman ruling is not final. In fact, we have a pending reconsideration. There is still the court of appeals, and the supreme court.)

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra also said that Guo may still submit her CoC as her cases were still pending.

Despite this, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is looking into blocking Guo’s candidacy.

“Well, I wouldn't say it's her right. She can try, but I wouldn't say it's her right because she's not Filipino and she bears falsified documents,” said Remulla.

Should she be allowed to run for Bamban Mayor, Guo will be facing against incumbent councilor and acting Mayor Erano Timbang, Tarlac Ex-Officio Board Member and Barangay Anupul Chairman Jose Salting Jr., Former Bamban Mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano, and former Councilor Rodolfo Escoto.

There were currently still no feelers or initial information as to which authorized representative will file Guo’s CoC.—NB, GMA Integrated News