Alice Guo seeks to run for reelection - lawyer

Guo, lawyer face perjury, falsification raps

- BY JANVIC MATEO

Alice Guo will try to reclaim her seat as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac in next year's elections.

Guo's lawyer Stephen David confirmed yesterday the dismissed mayor's plan to file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 polls.

"She will run," David told TV5, adding that their legal team is preparing the required documents. "Why don't we let the people decide kung gusto siya ng tao (if they want her)?" Based on Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules, Guo may file her COC through a representative.

Guo, currently in detention over various charges, was dismissed from service by the ombudsman in August for grave abuse of discretion over the operations of a Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO hub in Tarlac.

Although the ombudsman order carries a penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, it may still be appealed and thus cannot be considered final and executory.

On "Storycon" on One News yesterday, Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the poll body would acPresident Marcos interacts with beneficiaries as he accompanies First Lady Liza Marcos in the launching of Free Laboratory, Consu for ALL, at the Rizal High School in Pasig City yesterday.

"It is the ministerial duty of Comelec to accept COCs," Laudiangco said. He clarified, though, that acceptance does not mean that the person is automatically a candidate.

For the poll body to make a decision on the matter, he said a petition, either for disqualification or the cancellation of COC, must be filed against Guo.