The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines is set to file an election offense case for material misrepresentation against former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia revealed that Guo had not responded to the complaint filed by the poll body’s law department. “The Comelec will submit the case information to the Regional Trial Court in Tarlac, officially charging her with misrepresentation and violation of the Election Code,” Garcia said.
Despite Guo’s involvement in several other legal issues, including her current detention at Pasig City Jail on qualified human trafficking charges, Comelec is pressing forward with the case. Garcia emphasized, “The public can rest assured that we will pursue this case fully because it concerns lying about her citizenship.”
Comelec is also exploring the option of moving the trial from Tarlac to a Metro Manila court, with Garcia noting that this would facilitate easier prosecution since the accused is in Manila custody. “A Metro Manila court would allow our law department direct involvement in the case,” he added.
An election offense conviction could lead to one to six years of imprisonment and a permanent ban from holding public office.
Comelec’s decision to file charges follows a recommendation from its law department, which found evidence indicating Guo had made false claims on her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the May 2022 elections. Guo, who has also faced accusations of involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), is additionally charged with graft and tax evasion.
