Alice Guo has ‘No Right’ to Run in the 2025 Elections – DOJ Sec. Remulla
JESUS CRISPIN “BOYING” REMULLA – The Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) declared that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac, Mayor Alice Guo has “no right” to run for mayor again in the 2025 midterm elections.
Earlier, Atty. Stephen David announced that Alice Guo intends to run for mayor again in the upcoming elections despite her ongoing legal issues, including allegations of being a Chinese national linked to organized crime and her detention over illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Guo plans to submit her certificate of candidacy next week through a representative.
David dismissed concerns about a pending petition to cancel her birth certificate, asserting that Guo is a Filipina and has not been disqualified based on her citizenship. He maintained that even a perpetual disqualification order from the Office of the Ombudsman won’t impede her candidacy, as that ruling is not final.
However, Senator Joel Villanueva criticized her plan, calling it “ridiculous,” and raised concerns about a pending material misrepresentation case from her previous run. He emphasized that allowing her to run would undermine electoral integrity. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada agreed, stating that the privilege to run for office should be limited to legitimate Filipinos.
Despite the backlash, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed its duty to accept candidacy filings, clarifying that filing does not guarantee qualification, and unresolved legal issues may lead to petitions for disqualification later on.
Meanwhile, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla stated in an interview with reporters on October 4 that Guo has “no right” to run for mayor again in the 2025 midterm elections. “I wouldn’t say it’s her right. She can try, but I wouldn’t say it’s her right,” he stated, emphasizing that Guo is not Filipino and allegedly holds falsified documents. He mentioned that the DOJ might oppose Guo’s application if she files her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the upcoming elections.