Alice Guo seeks to run for reelection amid legal hurdles – lawyer
Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo is running in next year’s elections while being in the middle of a months-long investigation over her alleged ties with illegal POGOs and identity a Chinese spy.
Guo's lawyer Stephen David confirmed this in an interview with Frontline Pilipinas, adding that she will file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 polls sometime next week.
"She will run because right now, I will be preparing for all the documents needed for her to file the candidacy," David said. "We can always ask our lawyers in the firm or whoever who will file the necessary application."
David stressed that it's important to let the residents of Bamban decide for themselves whether they still want the dismissed mayor to reclaim her position.
"Kailangan kasi talaga dapat patunayan ng mga tao roon kung mahal talaga siya, hindi 'yung technicality na sinasabi na hindi siya qualified. Why don't we let the people to decide kung talagang gusto siya ng tao?" David said.
"Anyway, kung hindi naman siya gusto, hindi naman siya mananalo," he added.
Due to her alleged connection with illegal POGOs in her hometown that have since been raided by police, Guo is currently facing a qualified human trafficking case before a Pasig court as well as a graft case before a Valenzuela court.
These have led many to question whether she can still run in the 2025 elections.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) previously said that Guo may still submit her COC if she wants to run again since there has been no final verdict in the many cases and claims against her.
"Ministerial po ang duty namin kaya po tatanggapin namin lahat ng Certificates of Candidacy," Comelec Chairman George Garcia told the media outlet, adding if the agency found enough basis to file an election offense to Guo, they can prevent the latter from running.
"Sa amin kasi kapag nagkaroon ng desisyon ang Comelec en banc, ang desisyon ng en banc ay executory kahit na naka-appeal pa siya sa Korte Suprema," Garcia explained.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Menardo also emphasized the same matter to One PH when asked if Guo can still "theoretically, hypothetically and technically" vie for a government post.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said that Guo, who is detained at the Pasig City female dormitory, will need a court order to personally file her COC, which will allow her to leave the facility.
"Kung gusto niya mag-file personally, kailangan ng court order at pag pumayag po ang court na lumabas siya we will comply and we will ensure na secure ang magiging proseso,” Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera, BJMP spokesperson told reporters.
The filing of COCs for the May 2025 midterm elections began on Oct. 1 and will end on Oct. 8. There is a total of 18,280 positions including senators, party-list representatives, house of representatives, and local government positions.