Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo to Seek Reelection in 2025, Lawyer Confirms
ALICE GUO – The lawyer of dismissed Mayor Alice Guo said she is set to run for re-election in 2025.
Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac, is set to attempt a political comeback in the 2025 elections. Guo’s legal counsel, Stephen David, confirmed that she plans to file her certificate of candidacy (COC) despite her dismissal from office last August.
“She will run,” David told TV5, explaining that her legal team is in the process of preparing the necessary documents. He emphasized the democratic process, saying, “Why don’t we let the people decide if they want her?”
Alice Guo, who is currently in detention facing several charges, was removed from office by the Office of the Ombudsman for grave abuse of discretion related to the operations of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Tarlac. The ombudsman’s decision carries the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, but the ruling is not yet final as it can still be appealed.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson Rex Laudiangco confirmed that Guo’s COC would be accepted if filed, fulfilling the Comelec’s ministerial duty. However, he clarified that the acceptance of a COC does not automatically make someone a candidate. “For us to act on this, a petition for disqualification or cancellation of the COC must be filed,” Laudiangco said during an interview on One News. Any registered voter may file a petition challenging Guo’s candidacy, citing issues such as her citizenship.
According to the report, Senator Loren Legarda has criticized Guo’s potential candidacy, stating that Comelec should disallow her from running due to the cancellation of her birth certificate, which was deemed fraudulent. Legarda warned of the dangers posed by figures like Guo, accusing her of being involved in criminal activities.
Laudiangco added that Comelec Chairman George Garcia has committed to resolving all petitions by October, with any appeals being finalized by November. This means that the final decision regarding Guo’s eligibility could still influence the outcome of the 2025 election.
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