OSG moves to cancel Guo's birth certificate

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) yesterday filed a petition seeking the cancellation of the birth certificate of suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac.

- NILLICENT BAUTISTA

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the petition was filed before a Tarlac City regional trial court (RTC).

In a text message to reporters, Guevarra said the petition was filed on the grounds of Guo's failure to comply with the legal requirements for late birth registration.

Guevarra explained that Guo "did not submit the required supporting documents for late registration."

He also noted that it was Guo's alleged father who belatedly registered her birth certificate even though she was already 19 years old at the time.

Guevarra cited "glaring inconsistencies" between the entries in Guo's birth certificate and information contained in other public records.

“If her birth certificate is canceled, she will lose her most important defense evidence about her identity,” Guevarra said.

Quo warranto

Guevarra clarified that the filing of a quo warranto petition against Guo is not dependent on the outcome of the petition to cancel her birth certificate.

This was Gueverra’s response when asked what would happen if the RTC rejects the petition.

“The quo warranto petition can be supported by preponderant independent evidence; it’s not dependent on the outcome of the cancellation petition,” he said.

Guevarra earlier said a quo warranto petition would be filed against Guo this month.

A quo warranto proceeding is a legal remedy to determine a person’s right to a public office.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has welcomed the OSG’s move to file a petition seeking to cancel Guo’s birth certificate.