Dismissed Mayor Alice Guo, tatakbo muli bilang alkalde sa Bamban, Tarlac | 24 Oras

Summary

Alice, a controversial candidate for mayor in Tarlac, faces allegations of illegal POGO connections and falsified documents. Despite being removed as mayor by the Ombudsman and facing charges of qualified trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion, she is determined to run for office again. Legal battles continue as courts have yet to decide on her Filipino citizenship and eligibility. The Solicitor General suggests she can still submit a certificate of candidacy, while the Comelec is open to accepting it. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Rema is considering blocking her candidacy due to her non-Filipino status and falsified documents.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Alice Go, despite being imprisoned for various charges, plans to file her candidacy to become the mayor of Bamban, Tarlac again.
• 🛑 Alice Go was previously dismissed from her position as mayor due to a ruling by the Ombudsman and has a perpetual disqualification from holding any government office.
• 💼 Her lawyer insists that she has the right to run for office as long as the people want her to, and no final conviction has been made.
• ⚖️ Alice Go faces various allegations, including involvement in illegal POGO operations, human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion.
• 📝 There is a pending petition to cancel her Filipino birth certificate, with claims she is Chinese and not a Filipino citizen.
• 📋 The Comelec is willing to accept her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) since her cases are still pending in court.
• 🔍 Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is examining ways to block her candidacy due to concerns about her nationality and falsified documents.
• 🗳️ Go could face competition from notable political figures like incumbent councilor Jose Joey Salting, former mayor Jose Feliciano, and others.
• ⏳ Her legal battles are ongoing, with potential appeals to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
• 📍 The local COMELEC office in Bamban, Tarlac, is prepared to process her candidacy just like any other candidate.

Q & A

Who is Alice Guo and why is she controversial?

Alice Guo is a former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, who became controversial due to her alleged involvement in illegal POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations).

Why was Alice Guo dismissed from her position as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac?

Alice Guo was dismissed from her position as mayor due to a decision by the Ombudsman, which also imposed perpetual disqualification from holding any government position.

What legal challenges is Alice Guo currently facing?

Alice Guo faces several legal challenges, including allegations of qualified trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, and a petition questioning the legitimacy of her Filipino birth certificate, suggesting she is Chinese.

Can Alice Guo still run for mayor despite her legal issues?

Yes, Alice Guo can still run for mayor because the cases against her are still pending, and there is no final court decision that disqualifies her from running.

What is the stance of the Comelec regarding Alice Guo's candidacy?

Comelec has stated that they will accept Alice Guo's candidacy because there is no final court decision that disqualifies her at this point.

What are the arguments against Alice Guo’s candidacy presented by the Justice Secretary?

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla argues that Alice Guo’s candidacy could be challenged due to her alleged falsification of documents and questions about her Filipino citizenship.

Who are the potential opponents of Alice Guo in the upcoming mayoral election?

Alice Guo may face incumbent Councilor and Acting Mayor Aaano Timbang, former Mayor Jose Joey Salting, suspended Vice Mayor Leonardo Ding Anunas, and former Councilor Rodolfo Rudy Escoto in the upcoming election.

What is the status of Alice Guo's birth certificate issue?

There is an ongoing petition to cancel Alice Guo’s Filipino birth certificate on the grounds that she is allegedly a Chinese national. However, no court decision has been made yet.

What options does Alice Guo have to appeal the Ombudsman’s decision?

Alice Guo's legal team is pursuing a motion for reconsideration, and the case can still go through the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, so the process is not yet final.

How does Alice Guo’s lawyer justify her decision to run for office again?

Alice Guo’s lawyer argues that the people of Bamban, Tarlac, want her to run and should be the ones to judge whether she is fit to hold office. Additionally, since no final court ruling disqualifies her, she is eligible to run.