BAMBAN:The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has sanctioned the filing of a material misrepresentation case against former Bamban mayor Alice Guo. This decision follows her participation in the May 2022 mayoral elections, despite concerns over her citizenship status.
According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec’s resolution on Tuesday supported the Law Department’s recommendation to charge Guo with violating Section 74 in connection to Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code. The case will be filed in the appropriate Regional Trial Court. The Commission highlighted that Guo failed to demonstrate that she had relinquished her Chinese citizenship, a fundamental requirement under the said code.
The resolution detailed that even if Guo had resided in Bamban, Tarlac for more than 18 years, this does not confirm her abandonment of Chinese nationality. “Assuming arguendo that Respondent really resided in the Philippines more particularly at Bamban, Tarlac for the past eighteen (18) years and two (2) months befor
e the 2022 NLE, this does not prove that she has abandoned her Chinese citizenship,” the commission stated. The conclusion drawn was that Guo is not a Filipino citizen by birth or naturalization, establishing the first condition of material misrepresentation.
Further bolstering the case, the Comelec pointed out Guo’s deliberate act of misrepresentation, evidenced by her notarized certificate of candidacy, which she signed under oath. This act is seen as a formal confirmation of the truthfulness of the information she provided, thereby fulfilling the second condition required for material misrepresentation. This condition necessitates that the misrepresentation pertain to qualifications for elective office and represents a deliberate attempt to misinform or conceal disqualifying facts.
Additionally, the resolution referenced forensic evidence linking Guo to Hua Ping Lin Guo. Reports from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Election Records and Statistics Department showed similarities in their finge
rprints and signatures, suggesting they are likely the same person.
This legal move follows Guo’s victory in the 2022 mayoral election in Bamban, raising significant questions about the legitimacy of her candidacy and the integrity of the electoral process.