Alice Guo to face complaint for alleged election code breach

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has approved the filing of a motu proprio complaint against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for material misrepresentation in her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 elections. The move follows a comprehensive fact-finding investigation conducted by the Comelec’s law department, which has raised serious questions about Guo’s true identity and eligibility for public office.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia confirmed the decision, stating that the preliminary investigation into the case would commence soon. “Pinapasimulan po ang pag-conduct ng preliminary investigation patungkol sa kanya. So asahan ninyo po na gugulong na ang proseso at magkakaroon naman ng pagkakataon yung respondent na sumagot sa mga akusasyon, alegasyon laban sa kanya,” Garcia was quoted as saying in a report published by GMANetwork.

The complaint centers on allegations that Guo, who has served as the mayor of Bamban, may have provided false information in her COC, a potential violation of Section 74 in relation to Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code. Section 74 mandates that candidates must use their real name, as registered in official records unless legally changed. However, investigations revealed discrepancies in Guo’s provided details.

The controversy surrounding Guo’s identity has been brewing for some time, with Senators and various officials questioning her nationality. It was later uncovered that her real name is Guo Hua Ping, and she may have been born in Fujian, China, in 1990—a stark contrast to her claim of being a natural-born Filipino citizen born in Tarlac in 1986.

The Comelec’s fact-finding committee, led by Director Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, found sufficient grounds to proceed with the preliminary investigation. The committee’s report highlighted that Guo’s declarations in her COC were “seriously questionable and tainted with vestiges of a deliberate intent to deceive the electorate.”

This conclusion was supported by evidence from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Comelec’s Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD). The NBI’s findings indicated that Guo’s fingerprints matched those on a fingerprint card from NBI Alien Form No. 5, associated with her identity as Guo Hua Ping. Additionally, a thorough examination of her signatures across various documents confirmed they were made by the same individual.

Given the gravity of the allegations, Garcia emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability. He also pointed out that the Comelec’s law department could also issue a subpoena against the controversial mayor. “Ang susunod na po diyan ay pwedeng mag-issue yung aming law department ng subpoena upang mai-serve sa respondent at kaagad na mapasagot siya sa mga akusasyon sa kanya,” he disclosed.

He noted that while Guo has the right to remain silent, it would be in her best interest to address the accusations to clear her name. He warned that the Commission on Elections cannot afford to wait, especially since this is a criminal case, indicating the urgency of resolving the matter.

The implications of this case extend beyond Guo herself. Garcia issued a stern warning to other candidates who might consider misrepresenting their information in future elections. “If you try to do the same, you might not only get disqualified or have your candidacy canceled, but we will still be able to go after you—even if you win, you can still be sued and face criminal charges,” he cautioned.

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