Comelec to Allow Public Access to Certificates of Candidacy After Alice Guo Mess

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines has announced that it will provide open access to the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of all aspiring elective officials. This change is set to take effect as candidates for the May 2025 elections begin to file their documents, a process that started on October 8, 2024. The public will now have the opportunity to verify candidates’ information, a step aimed at increasing transparency in the electoral process.

Comelec Chair George Garcia explained that this decision follows an investigation into the case of Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac. Guo was dismissed from her position after it was revealed that she was allegedly a Chinese citizen. This investigation prompted Comelec to act proactively to ensure that foreign nationals do not run for public office.

“The Comelec saw it proper, for the first time, because of our experience in Tarlac,” Garcia was quoted as saying in a report published by the Inquirer. “We admit that there’s no additional law on the filing of candidacy, but the Comelec had to act, to be proactive.” He emphasized the importance of allowing public scrutiny of candidates’ COCs, which contain essential information, including full names, dates and places of birth, residency details, civil status, and professions.

Under the new guidelines, the Comelec plans to upload all COCs, as well as certificates of nominations (Conas) for political party candidates and certificates of acceptance for party list nominations (Con-Cans) onto its website within the next two weeks. “At least, [with the online posting], our countrymen will no longer be misinformed,” Garcia remarked. He views this initiative as a demonstration of transparency that will empower voters.

Historically, these documents were only accessible by request from Comelec’s main or local offices. The recent Comelec Resolution No. 11045, adopted on August 28, outlines the implementation of this new public access policy. The posting of COCs is scheduled to begin on October 18, in accordance with the Data Privacy Act. Sensitive information, such as candidates’ exact addresses, email addresses, and signatures, will be redacted from the public documents.

As of now, Comelec has received more than 43,000 COCs from individuals aspiring to various elective positions. This includes 183 individuals who have filed for the Senate and 155 out of 160 eligible party-list groups that submitted their Con-Cans. Preliminary reports indicate that 573 individuals filed COCs for 254 House seats, with many others vying for various local positions.

Garcia highlighted that the Comelec is ready to handle petitions against candidates. Within 25 days of the conclusion of the COC filing period, registered voters or political parties can file petitions to cancel or deny the candidacy of any candidate based on specific grounds. These grounds include lack of qualifications, failure to submit required financial statements, or engaging in illegal campaign activities.

For instance, if a candidate is found to have provided false information in their COC, they could face disqualification. Garcia noted that candidates could still appeal to the Supreme Court if disqualified. This avenue for appeal could result in a restraining order against the Comelec’s decision, provided it occurs before the printing of ballots.

The issue of foreign nationals running for office has gained attention, especially with the recent investigations revealing discrepancies regarding citizenship. Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) stated that they are looking into reports of Chinese nationals holding local government positions. However, he emphasized the need for thorough validation before drawing conclusions.

“During the course of the Senate investigation, it was discovered that there were over a thousand Chinese nationals who acquired new identities in one of the birth certification registration centers here,” Cruz reported. This revelation points to a potential loophole in the system that could allow foreign nationals to claim Filipino citizenship.

Senator JV Ejercito has also raised concerns about the implications of these findings. He called for greater vigilance to prevent foreign nationals from running for office in the future. “This should be a wake-up call for us to be more strict… we have to put a plug in these holes so it won’t happen again,” he stated, stressing the importance of thorough vetting of candidates.

Fresh allegations have also surfaced regarding Alice Guo’s candidacy, suggesting that her election bid in 2022 was allegedly arranged by Chinese state security. These claims came during a Senate hearing on Philippine offshore gaming operators. Guo has consistently denied these allegations, asserting her Filipino identity. Guo, who is believed to be a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping, was also tagged as a “Chinese spy” in an Al Jazeera documentary.

In response to the ongoing concerns, Senate President Francis Escudero urged Senator Ejercito to report any suspected foreign candidates to the Comelec. He stated, “If he has doubts, Senator JV should inform the Comelec so it could look into it.” This highlights a growing consensus among lawmakers about the need for stricter oversight in the electoral process.

As the country approaches the May 2025 elections, the Comelec’s move to provide open access to COCs marks a significant shift towards transparency. By allowing the public to scrutinize candidates’ qualifications, the commission aims to foster a more informed electorate and reduce the likelihood of foreign influence in local governance. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has warned the public about “POGO politics” which stems from Chinese criminal syndicates that could be influencing political candidates and funding their campaigns.

Read related article: Electoral Campaign of Alice Guo was Allegedly “Arranged by Chinese State Security”