THE Justice Department yesterday said it will file an opposition if dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo runs for re-election in next year’s mid-term elections.
Remulla, who earlier vowed to vigorously prosecute Guo after the Department of Foreign Affairs canceled her Philippine passport, said the department is just waiting if Guo would file her certificate of candidacy.
“If and when she files, we will oppose it officially,” Remulla told reporters in a chance interview yesterday.
Gou’s legal counsel, Stephen David, earlier said her client will file her certificate of candidacy today, October 8, the last day of filing for those seeking elective posts in next year’s polls.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra previously said Guo may still run for the 2025 elections but the Comelec may disqualify her for misrepresentation.
Guevarra said the poll body may not include Guo’s name in the ballot unless it is restrained by the court.
Guo is facing a slew of criminal charges, including the non-bailable offense of human trafficking and money laundering.
Guo was ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman last August on charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. She was also perpetually banned from holding public office.
Guo is detained at the Pasig City Jail-Female Dormitory on charges of qualified human trafficking.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology spokesman Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said the bureau has yet to receive an order from the court for Guo to be transported to Bamban to file her certificate of candidacy.
“So far, we have not received any court order. As far as we are concerned, (there will be no movement) if there is no court order,” said Bustinera.
Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III said the citizenship issue of Guo can be raised if she files her certificate of candidacy for re-election as Bamban, Tarlac mayor.
Although Guo has been charged with various crimes about her alleged ties with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, Pimentel said she can still file her candidacy since she has not been convicted.
He said Guo may want to seek re-election to support her “theory” that she is a Filipino citizen despite overwhelming evidence showing otherwise.
In case someone runs for mayor in Bamban, Pimental said that candidate can raise Guo’s citizenship issue and it would not be considered a personal attack since there are records showing the fraudulent acquisition of her birth certificate.
If nobody else would run for Bamban mayor, Pimentel said any ordinary citizen who has proof that Guo is not a Filipino citizen can bring this up.
“I think it is best to raise it (citizenship) when she files her COC because there is a declaration [in the COC] that you are a Filipino citizen,” Pimental said.
Pimentel said Guo knows the risk of having her candidacy canceled. If she wins anew, it would be voided due to the controversies surrounding her.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Guo is living in a world of delusion amid her plan to seek re-election as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac.
“We hope she will be doused with cold water so she will come to her senses,” PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio said in a radio interview.
Casio said Guo’s reported plan to run anew for Bamban mayor is “quite funny,” noting that government agencies are pursuing charges against her.
“What kind of respect is she giving us? It was already proven that she is not a Filipino. What is she trying to prove?” said Casio.
“She’s living under a delusion, not illusion but delusion,” Casio added.
Casio said Guo’s parents may have made her believe she is a Filipino “but documents and evidence show otherwise.”
“Despite her claim, she is not a Filipino. We hope she’ll wake up and accept the truth,” said Casio, adding he would bring up the issue when the PAOCC meets today, Tuesday.
Scheduled to be tackled in the meeting are the criminal charges being pursued against Guo. — With Raymond Africa and Victor Reyes
