Camp of Alice Guo Reacts To Comelec Panel’s Misrepresentation Complaint Suggestion vs. Mayor
ALICE GUO – Attorney Stephen David asserted that the suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor is a Filipino as she has valid birth certificate and passport.
The authorities have yet to locate suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Guo who is faced with a pending arrest order issued by the Senate. She was cited for contempt by the Senate committee after skipping two (2) hearings set by the upper chamber.
Guo is accused of involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in her town. She’s also questioned about her identity after her fingerprints matched with the fingerprints of Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national who entered the country in 2003.
Guo has gone into hiding since the release of the arrest order. Previously, her camp claimed that the suspended Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac is worried about her security. She maintained her stand denying the accusations against her.
Amid questions on her identity, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition challenging Mayor Alice Guo‘s eligibility to hold a public post. If granted, the Mayor may be ousted from her position.
The legal department of the Commission on Election or Comelec also suggested the filing of material misrepresentation complaint against Mayor Guo. They stressed the matching of the fingerprints of the Mayor with Chinese national Guo Hua Ping. The poll body is mulling over the recommendation and is set to decide on it this week.
Mayor Alice Guo’s camp was quick to react to the suggestion of the legal department of Comelec. Her lawyer, Attorney Stephen David, stressed that the Mayor has documents that prove that she is a Filipino. He believes that the move of the Comelec is “premature”.
“Si Mayor Alice meron siyang valid birth certificate, saka meron siyang passport… Kahit pagbalik-baliktarin nila, kung valid ‘yung kanyang passport saka ‘yung kanyang birth certificate eh ‘di Pilipino siya,” David said.
According to Atty. David, Mayor Alice Guo has also yet to meet the people who are being linked to her regarding the POGO allegations. He expressed his hope that their camp will be given the chance to examine the documents that accuse his client of being involved in the illegal POGO operations in her town.
For their part, based on the report, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said that they are not doing this to join in the multiple filing of cases against Mayor Guo. He stressed that the Comelec has its own jurisdiction and power that can penalize the people who violated the election rules. According to him, they have nothing to do with what the other offices are up to with regards to the issue of Guo.