Ex-Bamban mayor who endorsed Guo speaks up: 'Hindi kami masyadong close' | ABS-CBN
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Ex-Bamban mayor who endorsed Guo speaks up: 'Hindi kami masyadong close'
Ex-Bamban mayor who endorsed Guo speaks up: 'Hindi kami masyadong close'
The municipal hall of Bamban, Tarlac. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News/File
The municipal hall of Bamban, Tarlac. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano on Wednesday said he was "not that close" to Alice Guo despite endorsing her to be his successor in the 2022 elections.
MANILA — Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano on Wednesday said he was "not that close" to Alice Guo despite endorsing her to be his successor in the 2022 elections.
Feliciano, who served as Bamban mayor from 2013 until 2022, said his relationship with Guo was only "civil" and casual.
Feliciano, who served as Bamban mayor from 2013 until 2022, said his relationship with Guo was only "civil" and casual.
"Civil lang ang relasyon namin ni Alice Guo, hindi kami masyadong close... [We greet each other] in passing, pag nag-iimbita sila sa okasyon, hi-hello lang, hindi ganon kalalim," he told Teleradyo Serbisyo.
"Civil lang ang relasyon namin ni Alice Guo, hindi kami masyadong close... [We greet each other] in passing, pag nag-iimbita sila sa okasyon, hi-hello lang, hindi ganon kalalim," he told Teleradyo Serbisyo.
Despite their alleged casual ties, Feliciano admitted that he was actually the one who encouraged Guo to run as mayor after his falling out with another local official he was supposed to endorse.
Despite their alleged casual ties, Feliciano admitted that he was actually the one who encouraged Guo to run as mayor after his falling out with another local official he was supposed to endorse.
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"Tinanong ko s'ya kung interesado s'ya kasi during that time nagka-falling out kami nung dati kong kapitan na dapat ieendorso ko. Dahil gipit na sa panahon, natanong ko s'ya sa isang okasyon," Feliciano recalled.
"Tinanong ko s'ya kung interesado s'ya kasi during that time nagka-falling out kami nung dati kong kapitan na dapat ieendorso ko. Dahil gipit na sa panahon, natanong ko s'ya sa isang okasyon," Feliciano recalled.
He said it took Guo, who calls him "tito mayor," around 2 months to finally agree to run as Bamban mayor.
He said it took Guo, who calls him "tito mayor," around 2 months to finally agree to run as Bamban mayor.
"Oh sige tito mayor susubukan natin kung tatanggapin tayo ng tao, kung paano natin tutulungan ang tao ng Bamban," Feliciano said, quoting Guo.
"Oh sige tito mayor susubukan natin kung tatanggapin tayo ng tao, kung paano natin tutulungan ang tao ng Bamban," Feliciano said, quoting Guo.
WHY PICK GUO?
Dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Guo attends the senate hearing called by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on September 9, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Guo attends the senate hearing called by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on September 9, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News But if they were not close, then why did Feliciano pick Guo as his successor?
But if they were not close, then why did Feliciano pick Guo as his successor?
According to Feliciano, Bamban needed a leader, preferably a businessperson, who understands agriculture, which is the main livelihood in the town.
According to Feliciano, Bamban needed a leader, preferably a businessperson, who understands agriculture, which is the main livelihood in the town.
"Alam niyo naman ang bayan natin maliit lang so kailangan yung papalit sa 'tin medyo nakakaintindi sa negosyo. Dahil sa konting pera na naiipon ng munisipyo, kailangan magastos nang tama," Feliciano said in justifying his decision.
"Alam niyo naman ang bayan natin maliit lang so kailangan yung papalit sa 'tin medyo nakakaintindi sa negosyo. Dahil sa konting pera na naiipon ng munisipyo, kailangan magastos nang tama," Feliciano said in justifying his decision.
"Naisip ko isang karangalan na siya ang papalit sa akin sa Bamban," he added.
Feliciano said Guo was known in their town as a hog raiser who frequently visited the municipal hall. He also never doubted Guo's background because she and her family had been in Bamban before he was even a mayor.
Feliciano said Guo was known in their town as a hog raiser who frequently visited the municipal hall. He also never doubted Guo's background because she and her family had been in Bamban before he was even a mayor.
Guo was accused of using her position as mayor to facilitate the operation of an illegal POGO hub in Bamban.
Guo was accused of using her position as mayor to facilitate the operation of an illegal POGO hub in Bamban.
The National Bureau of Investigation also found that she has the same fingerprints as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping and had no Filipino blood to make her eligible for public office.
The National Bureau of Investigation also found that she has the same fingerprints as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping and had no Filipino blood to make her eligible for public office.
Guo, who was dismissed from office, is facing criminal complaints over her alleged POGO ties and faked identity.
Guo, who was dismissed from office, is facing criminal complaints over her alleged POGO ties and faked identity.
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