Metro Manila, Philippines – The Commission on Elections is studying the possible filing of a criminal complaint against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for misrepresentation in her certificate of candidacy (COC).
This is an offshoot of the poll body’s fact-finding panel that found that Guo’s fingerprints match those of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping. Its legal department recommended suing the mayor for violating the Omnibus Election Code.
“Misrepresentation po iyan,” Garcia told NewsWatch Plus on Friday.
“Sa ating Omnibus Election Code, kapag ikaw ay napatunayan na hindi nagsabi ng totoo o nagsinungaling sa isa sa mga items sa ating COC lalo na kung pinag-uusapan ay age, citizenship, residency, registration as a voter o literacy pwede kang maharap o masakdal sa kasong criminal, na misrepresentation na may isa hanggang anim na taon na pagkakakulong,” he added.
[Translation: That is misrepresentation. Under our Omnibus Election Code, if it is proven that you did not tell the truth or lied about any item on your COC especially regarding age, citizenship, residency, voter registration, or literacy, you could face criminal charges for misrepresentation, which carries a prison sentence of one to six years.]
Garcia said the seven-member poll body is studying if there is sufficient evidence against Guo. It is also considering the Guo camp’s statement that the move may be premature – since the Office of the Solicitor General has a petition seeking to cancel her certificate of live birth.
Guo has denied all allegations against her and maintains that she is a Filipino.
Comelec may release its decision next week, Garcia said. Should it decide to proceed, it would conduct a preliminary investigation where Guo will be asked to present her side. It will next file a complaint before a regional trial court.
“Warning din iyan sa lahat ng mag file ng candidacy ngayong October 1-8 na medyo tingnan mabuti ang kanilang finafile baka mamaya may pagsisinungaling o hindi pagtatapat doon sa mismong COC items,” Garcia said.
[Translation: This also serves as a warning to everyone filing their candidacy from October 1-8 to carefully review their submissions, as any dishonesty or misrepresentation on the COC items could lead to serious consequences.]
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who leads the probe on Guo’s citizenship and her alleged involvement in an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her locality, said Comelec’s latest findings prove “various lapses in the laws and regulations of many institutional systems, from the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) to the Comelec.”
Garcia agreed, but said the poll body could only accept the COCs filed – unless there is a law to require more documents in the filing of candidacy.
For now, Garcia hopes publishing all COCs online, which the Comelec will be doing for the first time in the coming election period, would prevent cases of misrepresentation. He said the public can help vet the information filed by those aspiring for elective posts. ###
WATCH: After a Comelec panel found that suspended Mayor Alice Guo's fingerprints match those of a Chinese national, poll chairman George Garcia told NewsWatch Plus that he agrees with Sen. Risa Hontiveros' remarks of lapses on the part of the commission. However, Garcia said… pic.twitter.com/1eGDHAchLW
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