MANILA – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo is set to file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for possible re-election next week, her legal counsel said.
According to Atty. Stephen David, the controversial mayor decided to run again due to clamor from her constituents and her unfinished business in Bamban, Tarlac.
“Madami ang nagpu-push sa kanya na tumakbo,” David said in an interview. “Maganda kung tumakbo siya para malaman kung mahal pa ba siya ng mga taga-Bamban.”
He added: “Right now, maraming negative publicity, marami ring nagsi-sympathize, marami din naman siyang ginagawang maganda sa Bamban kaya marami ang nagmamahal sa kanya.”
Guo, who is being accused of being a Chinese national with links to organized crime, is detained at the Pasig City Jail over charges related to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
Upon learning about the development, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it had a ministerial duty to accept COCs.
“Wala po kaming kapangyarihan tanggihan, i-pre-evaluate o i-reject agad ‘yung mga pina-file na COC,” said Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco.
However, the Comelec official clarified filing a COC is not a guarantee that the aspirant is already a candidate for the 2025 elections.
“Hindi po ibig sabihin na na-file ‘yung COC sa amin ay garatisado na siyang kandidato. Dahil kung katulad po nitong kasong ito na mayroong mga nakabinbin na kaso bagamat wala pang nadedesisyunan hanggang ngayon, ‘pag napagdesisyunan na ‘yan, it’s either mapa-filean siya ng petition to cancel COC or madi-disqualify siya dahil may na-attach sa kaniya na accessory penalty,” he said.
“Lahat kasi — kahit sa tingin namin nuisance candidate — hindi namin pwedeng tanggihan ‘yan. Ang ginagawa po ng Comelec is in compliance with due process at sinasampahan ng petition to declare as nuisance candidate,” he added./PN
