OSG files quo warranto petition questioning Alice Guo's eligibility to be Bamban mayor | ABS-CBN
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OSG files quo warranto petition questioning Alice Guo's eligibility to be Bamban mayor
OSG files quo warranto petition questioning Alice Guo's eligibility to be Bamban mayor
MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The Office of the Solicitor General has filed a Quo Warranto petition at a Manila court questioning suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo's eligibility to hold the position.
MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The Office of the Solicitor General has filed a Quo Warranto petition at a Manila court questioning suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo's eligibility to hold the position.
Guo's citizenship and identity have been put into question after the National Bureau of Investigation said that she and Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, who entered the Philippines in January 2003.
Guo's citizenship and identity have been put into question after the National Bureau of Investigation said that she and Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, who entered the Philippines in January 2003.
Under the 1987 Constitution, Filipino citizenship is a requirement to hold public office.
Under the 1987 Constitution, Filipino citizenship is a requirement to hold public office.
In a statement, Solicitor General Menardo Guevara said Guo is unlawfully holding the position and illegally exercising the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the Mayor of Bamban.
In a statement, Solicitor General Menardo Guevara said Guo is unlawfully holding the position and illegally exercising the duties and responsibilities of the Office of the Mayor of Bamban.
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“She is not a Filipino citizen, she is a Chinese national thus, she is ineligible to run for any elective public office,” Guevarra said.
“She is not a Filipino citizen, she is a Chinese national thus, she is ineligible to run for any elective public office,” Guevarra said.
The OSG also said in its petition that Guo has committed acts which requires the forfeiture of her office.
The OSG also said in its petition that Guo has committed acts which requires the forfeiture of her office.
“More specifically, she has committed acts of serious dishonesty which, under the Local Government Code, warrant her removal from office,” Guevarra said.
“More specifically, she has committed acts of serious dishonesty which, under the Local Government Code, warrant her removal from office,” Guevarra said.
National Bureau of Investigation Dactyloscopy Division chief Dr. Alfredo Kahanding shows the matching fingerprints of suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping during the Senate Hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in Pasay City on July 10, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
National Bureau of Investigation Dactyloscopy Division chief Dr. Alfredo Kahanding shows the matching fingerprints of suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping during the Senate Hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in Pasay City on July 10, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsThe OSG stated in the petition the following witnesses to be presented before the court:
The OSG stated in the petition the following witnesses to be presented before the court:
• Commission on Elections Director Efraim Bag-id
• Commission on Elections Director Efraim Bag-id
• Bureau of Immigration Certification and Clearance Acting Chief Vincent Uncad
• Bureau of Immigration Certification and Clearance Acting Chief Vincent Uncad
• BI Alien Registration Division Chief Jose Carlitos Licas
• BI Alien Registration Division Chief Jose Carlitos Licas
• NBI Dactyloscopy Division Chief Alfredo Kahanding
• NBI Dactyloscopy Division Chief Alfredo Kahanding
• Philippine Statistics Authority Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande
• Philippine Statistics Authority Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande
• Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Director of Office of the Consular Affairs – Passport Division Von Ryan Pangwi
• Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Director of Office of the Consular Affairs – Passport Division Von Ryan Pangwi
Among the documents to be presented are Guo’s documents such as her voter’s certification and Certificate of Candidacy and Guo Hua Ping’s documents, such as her Alien Certificate of Registration.
Among the documents to be presented are Guo’s documents such as her voter’s certification and Certificate of Candidacy and Guo Hua Ping’s documents, such as her Alien Certificate of Registration.
OSG: GUO'S PROCLAMATION AS BAM,BAN MAYOR 'NULL AND VOID'
In its prayer, the OSG said Guo should be “ousted” as Bamban mayor and her proclamation as mayor be declared “null and void.”
In its prayer, the OSG said Guo should be “ousted” as Bamban mayor and her proclamation as mayor be declared “null and void.”
“Indeed, the citizenship requirement for elective public office is a continuing one. More than that, it is a badge of identity that comes with attendant civil and political rights accorded by the State to its citizens,” the OSG said.
“Indeed, the citizenship requirement for elective public office is a continuing one. More than that, it is a badge of identity that comes with attendant civil and political rights accorded by the State to its citizens,” the OSG said.
The OSG also reiterated that Philippine laws require that public officers have the concomitant duty to maintain allegiance to the flag and country.
The OSG also reiterated that Philippine laws require that public officers have the concomitant duty to maintain allegiance to the flag and country.
“Further, in their dealings with the public at large, public officers are obliged to conduct themselves with utmost integrity and honesty,” the OSG said.
“Further, in their dealings with the public at large, public officers are obliged to conduct themselves with utmost integrity and honesty,” the OSG said.
GUO SUSPENDED OVER GRAFT RAPS
The Office of the Ombudsman in June put Guo and two other Bamban officials on preventive suspension of up to six months over graft complaints filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government over alleged illegal activities at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator complex in the town.
The Office of the Ombudsman in June put Guo and two other Bamban officials on preventive suspension of up to six months over graft complaints filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government over alleged illegal activities at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator complex in the town.
Guo, whose birth certificate was filed years after her birth and who could not recall details of her childhood when asked at Senate hearings, has denied the allegations.
Guo, whose birth certificate was filed years after her birth and who could not recall details of her childhood when asked at Senate hearings, has denied the allegations.
She said she had also divested from Baofu Land Development Inc., owner of the POGO complex, when she entered public office.
She said she had also divested from Baofu Land Development Inc., owner of the POGO complex, when she entered public office.
Authorities who raided the POGO compound in Bamban found indications of criminal activity, including torture and trafficking, there.
Authorities who raided the POGO compound in Bamban found indications of criminal activity, including torture and trafficking, there.
Guo has also insisted that she is a Filipino citizen, with her lawyer saying the NBI's findings have yet to be validated by a court.
Guo has also insisted that she is a Filipino citizen, with her lawyer saying the NBI's findings have yet to be validated by a court.
Under the Rules of Court, the solicitor general may initiate a quo warranto petition against government officials who may be unlawfully holding office, or who commit or allow an act that could be aground for forfeiture of office, when "he has good reason to believe that" that has happened and that it can be proven in court.
Under the Rules of Court, the solicitor general may initiate a quo warranto petition against government officials who may be unlawfully holding office, or who commit or allow an act that could be aground for forfeiture of office, when "he has good reason to believe that" that has happened and that it can be proven in court.
This is a developing story
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