Comelec reviews evidence to file charges against suspended Mayor Guo for misrepresenting citizenship

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia has instructed the Law Department to review evidence against suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.

The Comelec is preparing to file charges against Mayor Guo for allegedly misrepresenting herself as a Filipino citizen when filing her Certificate of Candidacy in 2022, which could result in administrative and criminal offenses.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco stated that such offense can be punishable by imprisonment from one year up to six years, forfeiture of the right to suffrage, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Garcia emphasized that they are awaiting the Senate investigation report and the Office of the Solicitor General's quo warranto petition against Guo for additional evidence.

The National Prosecution Office may also file perjury charges against Mayor Guo. The case could potentially be filed during her term, as election offenses have a five-year prescriptive period.

Garcia stressed that candidates must not lie in their Certificate of Candidacy and reminded all would-be 1025 candidates to declare every centavo of the campaign contributions they receive, spend, or save for next year's elections.