Bamban, Tarlac—Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, has announced her intention to run for reelection in the upcoming electoral cycle, despite ongoing legal disputes and a perpetual disqualification ruling by the Ombudsman.
According to Philippines News Agency, Guo’s decision was disclosed by her lawyer, Stephen David, during a preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice concerning charges of money laundering filed against her and 35 others. David emphasized that Guo’s candidacy aims to demonstrate her dedication to the residents of Bamban. “She wishes to show her love for her constituents. It is for the people of Bamban to decide if she is fit to serve them,” he stated.
David also noted that the case challenging Guo’s qualifications is still pending in the courts, and the decision by the Ombudsman to disqualify her from public office has not yet been finalized. “There are only technicalities preventing her candidacy, which are not yet definitive. She will definitely be running for mayor,” he explained.
The Office of the Solicitor General has initiated legal actions that could potentially remove Guo from her office, including a quo warranto petition in Manila and a petition to cancel her birth certificate in Tarlac. Despite these proceedings, Guo was notably absent from the preliminary investigation, with David citing delays in the service of official orders as the reason for her nonappearance.
Additionally, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has stated that it will accept Guo’s candidacy “for now,” as its role is merely ministerial until a final judgment or conviction is pronounced. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia explained, “A candidate facing charges can still run unless a final judgment or conviction prevents it. However, a petition could still be filed to challenge her candidacy.”
Moreover, Garcia mentioned that while Guo is currently allowed to file her candidacy, the perpetual disqualification by the Ombudsman stands unless a temporary restraining order (TRO) is issued by an appellate court. “The Comelec will adhere to the Ombudsman’s decision unless a TRO is secured,” he added.
Guo’s political future remains uncertain as she navigates both the electoral process and her legal battles, highlighting the complex interplay between legal disputes and political aspirations in the Philippines.